What is Rhesus Disease?

This occurs during pregnancy where there is an incompatibility between blood type of mother and baby. This has led to increase in maternal morbidity and infant mortality.

Presently, Nigeria remains the fourth among nations in the world with highest growth ratio of deaths of babies and mothers.

Fortunately, rhesus disease is preventable because of advances in ante natal care; nearly all women with Rhesus (Rh –ve) blood are identified in early pregnancy by blood testing. If mother is Rh-ve, she will be tested to Rh antibody titers, if she has not been sensitized; she is usually given a drug called immunoglobulin Rhig also known as Rhogam

.It is to this end, that the organization(RHESUS SOLUTION INITIATIVE) is formed with the following objectives:

(i) To create and promote awareness on Rhesus incompatibility through public enlightenment. To educate and sensitize the public most especially youth and women on the need to know their rhesus status and problems that can be associated with rhesus incompatibility between mother and child.

(ii) To promote access to qualitative maternity care through advocacy.

(iii) To promote access to the use of Rho (D) immunoglobulin through the provision of Rhogam (IgG anti D) injection at subsidized rate.

(iv) To reduce infant mortality and maternal morbidity of infant and maternal deaths due to rhesus isoimmunization.

(v) To establish networks of Rhesus negative people to provide help and be ready source of Rh negative immunization due to rhesus incompatibility in Nigeria women.

Now i know better! Ignorance is really a deadly disease.
Thanks

visit www.rhesussolution.com
you can also attend the launching at Eko multipurpose hall, LTV8, Ikeja on the 19th of November 2009 @ 10am.

@topic
Nice post. Hope you won't mind adding some more details here though.
First of all, it is known as haemolytic disease of newborn/fetus where Rh -ve mother can develop antibodies during pregnancy or blood transfusion and can cause breaking of red cells in the fetus in subsequent pregnancies. Women at risk are Rh -ve group woman carrying Rh +ve baby (that is father of the baby is Rh+ve) if the woman does not receive immunoglobulin injections during pregnancy and after delivery to prevent from Rh sensitization.

Women should have antenatal booking early (eg before 13 weeks)
They should be tested for Rh group at booking and check for antibody if they are Rh-ve group. And follow advice from an experienced obstetrician.