Denial of medical care: the example of blood transfusion refusal for religious reasons under the view of the cultural competence of health professionals

The relationship developing between Human Rights and health is dynamic, two-way, interdependent and in some cases conflicting. The challenges within health professionals in health care in a multicultural society are inevitable, as health users "carry" different cultures. The refusal of health users to perform medical procedures vital to their health, mainly for religious reasons, raises both legal and moral issues as well as practical ones. The refusal to transfuse blood for religious reasons must, on the one hand, follow the ethical principles governing health professionals and, on the other, the content of the relevant rights of health users, in order to avoid induced moral, legal and practical conflicts on both sides. To this end, based on the literature review, the application and enjoyment of the rights of the members involved under the cultural perspective of health professionals are considered of primary importance. The cultural competence training of health professionals will be a key element of individualization and holistic approach to managing the challenges, as well as removing the inequalities required by health care in a multicultural society.