SABR: South African Breastmilk Reserve

Bringing Maternal and Child Health Closer to Communities

The SOStainer Mobile Clinics are a groundbreaking innovation by the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR), bringing essential maternal and child healthcare services directly to underserved communities.

These versatile, solar-powered facilities are designed to address critical health challenges in low-resource settings, improving access to life-saving interventions for mothers and children under five.

Concept and Vision

The SOStainer Clinic embodies SABR’s commitment to a holistic, life-cycle approach to health. While our initial focus was on reducing neonatal mortality through donor breastmilk, the SOStainer expands this mission to include a broader range of health services.

Recognising that the health of infants is deeply connected to maternal well-being and early childhood development, the SOStainer integrates breastfeeding support with comprehensive primary care services.

Key Services Provided

Breastfeeding Support and Nutrition

Guidance for mothers to ensure optimal infant feeding practices.

Immunisations

Vaccinations for children to prevent life-threatening illnesses.

Donor Breastmilk Processing

Collection, pasteurisation, and distribution of safe, nutrient-rich donor breastmilk.

HIV Testing and Counselling

Support for HIV prevention and treatment.

Nutrition Support

Services aimed at preventing stunting and improving overall health outcomes.

Early Childhood Development (ECD)

Programmes focused on the five pillars of child development.

Community Outreach

Home visits and health communication to expand the clinic’s impact.

Addressing Critical Needs

Located in Mankweng, Limpopo, the SOStainer addresses significant barriers to healthcare access, including the lack of nearby clinics, limited transportation, and inadequate infrastructure.

This region faces high rates of diarrhoeal disease, malnutrition, and respiratory infections, which are leading causes of infant mortality. By providing care closer to home, the SOStainer ensures that mothers and children receive timely, quality healthcare services.

Beneficiaries and Impact

The SOStainer has brought healthcare closer to one of Limpopo’s most underserved rural communities. The clinic has improved immunisation rates, supported exclusive breastfeeding, and provided critical HIV and nutritional services. In its first year, the SOStainer supported over 1,100 clinic visits and reached an additional 2,900 mothers and children through household-level interventions.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The SOStainer project is supported by partnerships with the Limpopo Department of Health, SACSoWACH, and other stakeholders. SABR collaborates with technical experts, engineers, and academic institutions to ensure the project’s success. Key contributors include Beyond Wireless for cold-chain support and CleanRoom Technologies for solar and water solutions.

Scalability and Sustainability

As a modular, adaptable facility, the SOStainer has the potential to scale beyond its pilot in Mankweng. Its success has paved the way for broader implementation across Limpopo and other provinces, providing a flexible, cost-effective solution to healthcare delivery in low-resource environments.

Recognitions and Awards

The SOStainer project earned the Discovery Foundation Excellence Award in 2018 for its innovative approach to improving maternal and child health. It continues to exemplify SABR’s mission to bring life-saving services to the most vulnerable populations.

Join Us in
Expanding Impact

The SOStainer Mobile Clinics demonstrate what’s possible when innovation meets commitment. Partner with SABR to scale this transformative initiative and bring health and hope to more communities in need.

Ready to Learn More?

Email us at SoSafe@sabr.org.za to explore implementation options, pricing details, and how SoSAFE fits into your existing infrastructure.

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