Give mothers and babies a fair start

AFRICARhE

Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN, commonly known as “Rhesus disease”) is a largely preventable but still life-threatening condition for unborn babies and newborns worldwide. The disease can develop if a pregnant woman has an Rh-negative blood type and her baby has an Rh-positive blood type. This can cause the mother to form antibodies that break down the baby's blood. If left untreated, this leads to severe anemia, jaundice, brain damage, and even death.

Insight, innovation and impact in HDFN care

The AFRICARhE research focuses on understanding and reducing HDFN on the African continent. The research maps the prevalence of the disease, the barriers to screening and treatment, and which solutions are locally feasible and sustainable.

Since 1969, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) has collaborated closely with the Dutch blood bank Sanquin and enjoys international recognition as a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of HDFN. By sharing this expertise and experience, AFRICARhE supports capacity building with its African partner universities. At the same time, Dutch partners gain deeper insight into the condition, which has become relatively rare in the Netherlands.

Innovative interventions play an important role in addressing inequalities in healthcare, such as the use of rapid tests to determine the blood type of pregnant women at the point of care, as well as the use of ultrasound to closely monitor the health of their unborn babies.  

"I know women who have lost up to eight babies. Coming home without your baby and not knowing what happened is traumatic. And then to be 'welcomed' in the community by people saying it is a curse. That hurts to the core." – Rose, ambassador in Kenya

From research to practice

The AFRICARhE consortium consists of Haramaya University (Ethiopia), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Malawi), Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (Tanzania), Sanquin, and LUMC (The Netherlands) as coordinator.

We have conducted literature reviews and medical record studies to map what is known about HDFN across African countries. At present, women and  newborn babies are being enrolled in three ongoing clinical studies in Malawi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. In addition to mapping the burden of HDFN, we are conducting implementation research into screening, prevention, and treatment.

The participating African academic hospitals are increasingly recognized as national centers of expertise due to the capacity built up in the fields of HDFN research, laboratory diagnostics, and clinical care.

The consortium collaborates with national and international partners such as Ministries of Health, blood banks, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Give every baby an equal start

HDFN was once the leading cause of newborn mortality in the Netherlands, but since several  decades it has been considered a largely overcome condition. This is because the disease is largely preventable through national screening and prevention programs. We believe it is unacceptable that where you are born still determines whether you live or die. Do you agree?

Together for an Africa free from HDFN

The vision of AFRICARhE is to eradicate HDFN across the African continent. Our mission to bring the hidden burden of Rh disease in Africa to light and reduce it through research, awareness, advocacy, and capacity building.

Give every mother and baby a fair start

As a donor, you contribute to research on the true prevalence of HDFN and help establish proof-of-concept for screening and prevention programs across the African continent. Your support helps reduce inequalities in access to maternal and newborn care.

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