Anambra Assembly Seeks Accessible RHO(D) Injections To Prevent Newborn Blood Disorder
By Emmanuel Chigbata | Ichie Times
Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct relevant state ministries to improve accessibility, affordability and public awareness of Rho(D) Immune Globulin injections for the prevention of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, HDN.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Honourable Noble Igwe who also described HDN, also known as erythroblastosis fetalis, as a life-threatening blood disorder that can occur when an Rh-negative pregnant woman develops antibodies against the Rh-positive red blood cells of her baby.
According to the motion, the immune response may put subsequent pregnancies at risk and could lead to severe anaemia, jaundice, brain damage, heart failure or stillbirth.
The lawmaker noted that Rho(D) Immune Globulin, commonly known as RhoGAM, can prevent Rh sensitisation when appropriately administered to eligible Rh-negative pregnant women.
He expressed concern that many pregnant women remain at risk because of inadequate public awareness of blood-group compatibility, limited access to prenatal screening and the cost of the injection, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
The motion was also supported by Honourable Anayo Okpalaeke, among others and passed by the House following a vote presided over by the Speaker, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze.
