Editorial
Preterm babies, mothers need support
World Prematurity Day, is observed annually on November 17 to raise global awareness of the challenges associated with preterm birth, and celebrates the lives of preterm infants.
A baby is deemed preterm or too early if it is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-to-Skin Care for Every Baby, Everywhere,” also referred to as “Kangaroo Mother Care.”
Experts say that premature birth can result in serious complications and long-term health issues for the baby.
Preterm birth is projected to be the largest cause of death for children under five worldwide, accounting for one in ten births, or 15 million premature newborns born annually.
According to experts, preterm babies may have long-term intellectual and developmental impairments. They may result in difficulties or delays in a person’s physical growth.
Compared to children who were delivered at term, preterm infants are more likely to have lower cognitive quotients, academic success scores, more difficulty in school, and a larger need for educational support.
Conditions like eating issues and asthma are more likely to arise or persist.
In order to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by preterm babies and their families, The Spectator applauds the efforts of NICU Soldiers, an advocacy blog on Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), and Ghandour Cosmetics, who celebrated World Prematurity Day (WPD) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
According to Dr. Kojo Ahor-Essel, Senior Specialist Pediatrician at the KBTH NICU, keeping warm, eating, and fending off infections were challenges for babies born before term.
He stated that “small actions taken by health workers and mothers, like providing adequate nutrition, warmth, and care, can have a big impact on the survival and development of the babies.”
He urged the public to put an end to the stigma and discrimination against preterm babies and praised NICU Soldiers and Ghandour Cosmetics for supporting this year’s WPD at the KBTH.
“I implore the public to be compassionate toward and supportive of preterm baby families, as well as to join them in celebrating their accomplishments,” he added.
The Spectator also calls on corporate institutions, individuals, Non-Governmental Organisations (ngos), government, and the media to work together to increase public awareness of preterm births in order to spur action that will ultimately save the lives of babies.
This, we believe, will prevent preterm births, enhance healthcare systems, and improve governmental policies.
It is important to help mothers whose babies are admitted to the NICU in order to lessen their stress levels.
Dear Editor,
The recent shooting to death of Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old Ghanaian student in Bronx, USA, is a heartbreaking reminder that bullying should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up.
Reports indicate that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to bullying at school before he was fatally shot on his way to class.
While investigations continue and the exact motive yet to be officially established, the circumstances surrounding this tragedy have raised serious concerns about the impact of not checking bullying.
What makes this loss even more painful is that Javits Frimpong, had moved from Ghana to the United States with hopes of a brighter future through education. Instead, his life was cut short at an age when he should have been pursuing his dreams and preparing for adulthood.
Bullying is often viewed as harmless teasing, but its effects can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and, in extreme cases, become entangled in violence.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to schools everywhere. Complaints of bullying must be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed decisively before situations escalate.
Parents, teachers, school authorities, and community leaders all share a responsibility to create safe environments for young people.
Open communication, counselling services, anti-bullying education, and effective disciplinary measures can help protect vulnerable students.
Equally important is teaching young people respect, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
As we mourn the loss of Javits Frimpong, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring that no other child loses their life because warning signs were ignored. The fight against bullying is not merely a school issue; it is a societal responsibility.
Yours faithfully,
Dansoman
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The recent report that 294 teenage girls in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to receive their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a depressing reminder of the gap between medical progress and public trust.
In a focused campaign with 997 girls the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate reached a 70 percent coverage rate. Our public health professionals deserve praise for reaching 703 girls, but the remaining 30 percent pose a serious threat.
This shortfall is not due to a lack of institutional effort, logistics, or resources. The directorate had sufficient logistics, as highlighted by Public Health Nurse Patience Adoli Kporxah. Rather, the barrier was completely human: a lack of parental approval.
In Ghana, one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality for women is still cervical cancer. Ironically, it is also one of the most avoidable. The HPV vaccine is widely acknowledged as a safe, highly effective barrier that, when given early, can prevent up to 90 percent of cervical cancers.
Parents are unknowingly leaving their daughters vulnerable to a virus that they will probably come into contact with in the future by withholding approval.
This initiative was not initiated in secret by the health directorate. They coordinated with churches, mosques, and media outlets, spoke at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and sent letters to schools as part of their broad public outreach efforts. However, around 300 parents continued to withhold their signatures in spite of these multi-dimensional approaches.
Why is this resistance still present? Fear, cultural taboos, and false information about vaccines and reproductive health on the internet are the main causes of vaccine hesitation rather than an intent to hurt a child. When a vaccination is administered to young teenagers in schools, it may cause unjustified concerns about fertility and sexuality.
Our public health initiatives need to change in order to close this gap before the November and December phases.
Letters and the mass media are important, but they are unable to provide precise, worried answers. During PTA meetings, health staff could think about holding direct question and answer sessions so parents may express their worries without fear of being judged.
In order to normalise the vaccine, community elders, religious leaders, and reputable local physicians must do more than simply impart knowledge; they must openly support it.
We must present the HPV vaccine as a standard, life-saving cancer prevention tool that is now completely incorporated into Ghana’s regular immunisation programme.
The entrance is still open, according to public health officials. Daughters who did not participate in the school-based activity can still get the vaccination at no cost by taking them to any government health institution.
We must work together to prevent cervical cancer in the future generation. The infrastructure, education, and dosages have been supplied by public health teams. The trust must now be provided by the parents of Ayawaso West and Ghana as a whole.
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