Editorial
Ensure medication for RBC antibody screening is available, affordable
According to a recent study, the lack of routine RBC antibody screening in the majority of hospitals is a factor in newborn fatalities, preterm deliveries, and stillbirths.
RBC antibody screening is a blood test which is essential for blood transfusions and pregnancy because it looks for antibodies that can destroy foreign red blood cells.
Based on the recent research, Dr. (Mrs.) Lilian Antwi Boateng, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Diagnostics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, estimates that these disorders occur at rates of 1.2 percent, 37.3 percent, and 2.3 percent, respectively.
Despite the fact that two injections administered during pregnancy and soon after delivery can virtually completely prevent sensitisation almost entirely, access remains limited. Furthermore, many women are left unprotected since the medication, which costs roughly GH₵750 each dose, is either unavailable or too expensive.
The cost of screening for RBC is affecting expectant mothers as most of them cannot afford to undergo the screening. As a result many babies are at risk of preventable complications and death.
It is therefore not a surprise that, according to the study, only 49 per cent of eligible mothers had received the injections, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 100 per cent coverage.
The WHO recommends that RBC antibody screening should be a routine part of pre-transfusion testing and antenatal screening to ensure blood safety and prevent alloimmune complications. Alloimmune complications are adverse effects that occur when the body’s immune system attacks foreign cells, such as those from a different person or during pregnancy.
In view of that, health experts have called 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.
The Spectator is making a passionate appeal to the government to urgently include the cost of screening of RBC antibodies among others in the National Health Insurance, for every baby deserves the chance to be born healthy.
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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will administer the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana from Monday, May 4, 2026, to Monday, May 11, 2026, for both school and private candidates.
For Junior High School (JHS) students, it is a crucial evaluation that covers both core and elective areas, such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, French, and Ghanaian Language among others.
A total of 619,985 candidates comprising 304,273 males and 315,712 females have been registered to write this final examination for JHS students.
In order to prevent examination misconduct, which damages the legitimacy of the educational system and skews the results of student assessments, candidates are expected to follow the regulations of the examination by WAEC.
Anyone found engaging in examination misconduct will face harsh penalties under WAEC Act 719.
As a result, the Spectator is advising all candidates to be cautious of the directives and make a commitment to always act morally.
We also implore supervisors and invigilators to refrain from any wrongdoing because invigilators have found themselves in trouble in the past.
It is common to feel anxious at examination but we advise candidates not to panic during this time because if they do, their brains will not be able to recall what they have learned.
Relax and you will be able to recall the majority of the material you have studied, but if for some reason you are unable to remember do not be afraid. Leaving a question unanswered is better than receiving a sanction from WAEC due to examination misconduct.
During this time, we expect parents to help their children by providing a peaceful, distraction-free study space and making sure they eat healthily and get enough sleep.
We wish every BECE candidate all the best for the examination, including good health, mental clarity, and protection.
Dear Editor
I wish to use your esteemed platform to welcome Mr Carlos Queiroz, our new coach for our senior national male football team, the Black Stars.
We have read a lot about him and I think looking at his CV, he represents our biggest ‘catch’ in this business.
When his name came up initially, some of us doubted whether we could land him considering our scarce resources.
A coach with experiences with Real Madrid, Manchester United at club sides and national team romance with South Africa and Iran speaks volumes of what he brings to the table.
However, we must not forget that CVs don’t play football. Football is played on the pitch and it is therefore the reason why the noise about his arrival must end and watch out for what he brings to the table.
Currently, we don’t have players we could call world class. Those that comes near that label like Mohammed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu are injured.
The only player making waves in Europe at the moment is Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City.
Carlos Queiroz is not coming as a magician. He would need players who are committed and very good enough. At this moment, we should be praying and supporting him to get the best out of our players.
Directly, I want to appeal to him to take a serious look at the players in individually and access their qualities before bringing them on board.
Some of the players are very good but have just failed or struggled to perform in the Black Stars jersey. One of his task must be to break that ice.
We need nothing bust the best for the World Cup. As Ghanaians let’s support Queiroz to get the best out of the players available.
Andy Muller,
Accra
