PATH: Expanding availability of simplified human milk bank systems for resource-poor settings

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PATH Expanding availability of simplified human
milk bank systems for resource-poor settings
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PATH Transforming global health through
innovation
PATH/Evelyn Hockstein
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As a catalyst we promote innovation adoption
Multi-disciplinary teams connect diverse
stakeholders around the globe
Digital Public Health
MenAfriVac
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Infant Feeding Buddies
to create appropriate, scalable and sustainable
solutions
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PATHs integrated approach to infant health

• Capacity building
• Advancing innovative practices and technologies
• Addressing the window of opportunity
• First 1000 days
• Pregnancy through two years
• Maternal health
• Newborn care and survival
• Infant and young child health

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Addressing Drivers of Neonatal Mortality
Human breast milk is one strategy for addressing
neonatal mortality
3,300,000 Neonatal Deaths (first 4 weeks) 430,000
children are newly infected with HIV
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Promoting Breastfeeding The Single Most
Important Intervention to Prevent Child Deaths
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Filling a Gap How to Provide Breast Milk to
Those Who Need It Most

• Each year in resource-limited settings
• 13 million babies are born prematurely 1
• 19 million newborns in developing world are low
  birth weight 2
• - Under 2,500 grams at birth
• - More than 1 in 7
• 430,000 children are newly infected with HIV
• - 90 through mother-to-child transmission 3

1. lt37 weeks, The Global Burden of Preterm Birth and
   Stillbirth (GAPPS)
2. Childinfo.org, Unicef. 2011
3. WHO PMTCT Strategic Vision 2010-2015

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Identifying a Need PATHs Role in Human Milk
Banking

• Ongoing research to improve low-tech human milk
  banking systems
• Gates Grand Challenge Exploration award
• Standardize Flash-heat method
• Develop and test remote temperature monitoring
  system

• PATH is a leading national nutrition partner in
  South Africa
• Collaborating with HMBASA
• Assessment of the Brazilian model to determine
  feasibility of applying it in South Africa
• Situation analysis of human milk banking in South
  Africa
• Conducting advocacy around human milk banking

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Establishing a Model Low-tech Milk Banking

• Commercial grade pasteurizers costly
• King Edwards Hospital model
• Adapting Flash-heat pasteurization for PMTCT
  NICU or home
• Small-scale donor milk pasteurization
• Gates Grand Challenge Explorations temperature
  safety monitor

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Human Milk Banking An Innovative Opportunity for
Improving Newborn Health in Low Resource Settings

• Developing global partnerships
• Building advocacy and awareness
• Country assessments identifying best practices
• Brazil, South Africa, India
• Global stakeholder assessments
• Identifying operational, programmatic and
  technology gaps
• Testing low-tech human milk banking systems

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Example Refining the HMB Model

• With the Human Milk Banking Association of South
  Africa (HMBASA)
• Evaluating operational and technology
  requirements to refine the banking process
• Piloting a simplified pasteurization and
  monitoring system in South Africa

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Mobile Milk Pasteurizer
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Results to date

• 100 cleared post pasteurization screening
• Tripled throughput
• Halved processing time

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Vision for Strengthening HMB Adaption,
Integration, Expansion

• Expansion of low-tech FoneAstra system in South
  Africa
• Provide technical assistance for implementing new
  provincial HMB guidelines
• Identify technology gaps and pursue solutions for
  product development and marketing
• Integrate HMB as key intervention for PATH
  nutrition and neonatal care programs
• Develop HMB global implementation framework and
  pilot adaption in India and South Africa
• Conduct advocacy for introduction of HMB in key
  target countries

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Thank you
Noah Perin nperin_at_path.org Kiersten
Israel-Ballard kisrael-ballard_at_path.org