The Australian Government has provided more than $6 million to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to continue its delivery of donor human milk banks for vulnerable preterm babies.
Lifeblood delivers pasteurised donor human milk (PDHM) to neonatal intensive care units across the country, providing often life-saving care to preterm babies.
PDHM provides extra nutrition and reduces the risk of necrotising enterocolitis, a life-threatening bowel disease.
Around 24,000 babies are born prematurely or with a very low birth weight each year in Australia.
Since the program began in 2018, Lifeblood has provided over 21,000 litres of PDHM, made possible by generous donors across the country.
This investment will help support care for preterm babies around the country, including right here in Queensland.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“Every parent of a premature baby knows how critical those first few days and weeks are. Donor breast milk can make a life-saving difference.
“This funding is about making sure our smallest and most vulnerable babies get the best start in life, no matter where they are born.
“Thank you to all the generous donors around Australia who have been willing to share breast milk as part of this program.
“For families with babies in neonatal intensive care, knowing donor milk is available can bring real comfort at an incredibly stressful time."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls:
“Queensland, like other States and Territories, works with the Commonwealth Government to support Lifeblood’s milk banks – a life-saving service for our most vulnerable babies.
“We welcome this funding boost from the Commonwealth Government, which will not only benefit our little Queenslanders, but preterm bubs right across the country.”