South African Breastmilk Reserve Launches Innovative 'So Safe' Breastmilk Pasteurizer During World Breastfeeding Week 2024

issued on behalf of the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR)

Johannesburg, South Africa – 08 August 2024 – The South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR), a pioneering not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting neonatal care, proudly announces the launch of the 'So Safe' breastmilk pasteurizer. This launch coincides with World Breastfeeding Week 2024, themed 'Closing the Gap,' which aligns perfectly with SABR’s mission to provide affordable breastfeeding technologies and close the gap in access to human milk banking, particularly in low-income health systems.

Since its inception, SABR has been at the forefront of addressing the urgent needs of the most vulnerable infants in South Africa, particularly those born prematurely or with low birth weights, often as little as 500 grams. These infants face heightened risks and health challenges, making the availability of safe, pasteurized human milk crucial. To date, SABR has provided donated breastmilk to 50,000 premature babies, showcasing the significant impact of their efforts.

The 'So Safe' pasteurizer, the sixth generation of locally designed and assembled devices by SABR, marks a significant advancement in technology and affordability. Built under the not-for-profit banner, SABR’s pasteurizer is priced to be accessible, maintaining high-quality standards while significantly lowering costs. To date, SABR pasteurizers have saved 500 lives per machine per annum, demonstrating a noteworthy social impact. By closing the gap of affordability, SABR is decreasing the cost of donated breastmilk to babies, ensuring more infants receive the lifesaving nutrition they need.

Key Features and Benefits of the 'So Safe' Breastmilk Pasteurizer:

• Highly Accessible: Designed to be affordable for all health facilities, ensuring that even low-income hospitals can establish their own human milk banks.
• User-Friendly: Features a simple interface that makes it easy to operate, ideal for varying conditions in urban to rural settings.
• Reliable and Safe: Ensures the safety of pasteurized milk, crucial for protecting neonates from conditions like Necrotizing Enterocolitis, which can be fatal or lead to severe health issues.
• IEC Safety Certification: Certified for laboratory environments, guaranteeing compliance with international safety standards.
• Comprehensive Support: Available as part of the SABR SOS turnkey solution for human milk banking, which includes the pasteurizer, freezers, refrigeration units, a PH tester, temperature mapping devices, and a year's supply of bottling equipment and essential consumables.

Partnerships Driving Innovation:

The development and success of the 'So Safe' pasteurizer were made possible through the collaboration with key partners. Generous funding from Discovery provided the necessary financial resources, while SKEG Holdings lent their expertise in product development and manufacturing to ensure the delivery of a quality-engineered pasteurizer.

The work of the SABR is made possible through key partnerships with the Provincial Departments of Health, the most prominent funders of the Feed 4 Life Initiative, which brings donated breastmilk to vulnerable babies nationwide. These partnerships have been instrumental in bringing this vital technology to market, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

"Our new 'So Safe' pasteurizer is more than a product; it's a lifeline for thousands of babies born under precarious health conditions," said Stasa Jordan, Executive Director of SABR. "By making this technology accessible, we are ensuring that every newborn has the chance to fight and thrive."

"It is concerning that based on the latest National Food and Nutrition Security Survey report of 2024, exclusive breastfeeding regressed to 22.2% among children under 6 months compared to 32% according to the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) 2016. The launch of the 'So Safe' breastmilk pasteurizer is a significant milestone in improving neonatal health and supporting breastfeeding initiatives," said Zandile Kubeka, Assistant Director in the Cluster Child, Youth, and School Health, responsible for Child Nutrition.

Kubeka further emphasized, "It is encouraging that our rates of early initiation of breastfeeding are above 80%, which is an important foundation that sets breastfeeding off to a good start. Prioritising the most vulnerable groups, including preterm and low-birth weight babies as key beneficiaries of donor human milk, is a key strategy that can significantly reduce neonatal mortality."

The certified 'So Safe' pasteurizer is now available for purchase both individually or as part of a comprehensive human milk banking kit, making it easier for hospitals and care centers to implement a crucial resource in the care of premature and vulnerable infants.

"It fills us with immense pride at Discovery to collaborate with the South African Breastmilk Reserve. This groundbreaking innovation is a lifeline for thousands of babies born under precarious health conditions. Our ongoing journey has not only met but exemplified Discovery’s core purpose of enhancing and protecting lives within the broader South African society,” said Andronica Mabuya, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Discovery.