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Absence of RBC antibody screening puts babies at risk
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A NEW study has revealed alarming gaps in antenatal care in Ghana, where routine screening for Red Blood Cell (RBC) antibodies is largely absent, leaving many babies at risk of preventable complications and death. The research, conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 at a secondary referral facility, was led by Dr (Mrs) Lilian Antwi Boateng, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Diagnostics, KNUST, with support from Mr Bastu Odoka, Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist at Effia Nkwanta Hospital.
The study, involving 411 pregnant women, found that nine (2.2 per cent) carried potentially harmful antibodies. Among RhD- (a protein found on the surface of red blood cells) negative mothers, the prevalence of anti-D antibodies was 17.1 per cent — higher than rates reported in other African countries.
Two babies born to affected mothers developed serious complications; one died on the third day of life, while the other survived after intensive care. According to Dr Antwi Boateng, in a chat with The Spectator, the absence of routine RBC antibody testing in most hospitals is contributing to stillbirths, preterm births, and neonatal deaths.
In Ghana, these conditions occur at estimated rates of 1.2 per cent, 37.3 per cent, and 2.3 per cent respectively, based on recent studies. Although anti-D prophylaxis — two injections given during pregnancy and shortly after birth — can prevent sensitisation almost entirely, access remains limited.
Only 49 per cent of eligible mothers in the study had received the injections, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 100 per cent coverage. The drug, which costs about GH₵750 per dose, is often unavailable or unaffordable, leaving many women unprotected.
Health experts, including Dr Antwi Boateng, are calling for urgent reforms: routine antenatal RBC antibody screening, enforcement of national protocols for RhD immunoprophylaxis, and inclusion of anti-D immunoglobulin in the National Health Insurance Scheme. They also recommend training healthcare providers to detect and manage maternal antibodies.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” Dr Antwi Boateng stressed, noting that every Ghanaian baby deserves the chance to be born healthy.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
