Dr. Mariam Jashi at the First Global Self-Care Summit

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance joined the distinguished panelists of the First Global Self-Care Summit held in parallel with the 77th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

The summit brought together high-level policymakers and global health experts, including Dr. Mary Munive Angermüller, Vice-President and Minister of Health of Costa Rica as the keynote speaker and senior representatives of the Ministries of Health of Egypt and Malawi as co-hosts of the event as part of their ongoing work to elevate self-care in national health policies. Ministerial delegations from Guatemala, Belize, Panama, and El Salvador also attended and contributed to the discussions on how to integrate self-care into wider health plans in the Latin American region.

Upon invitation of Judy Stenmark, the Director General of the Global Self-Care Federation, Dr, Jashi spoke on behalf of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network and the Global Sepsis Alliance and emphasized the legislative and executive approaches how to integrate self-care into public health policies. She shared the stage with Dr Manjulaa Narasimhan, Acting Unit Head for Sexual Health and well-being at the World Health Organization; Professor Iain Chapple from the Institute Clinical Studies, University of Birmingham; Ellos Lodzeni - Chair, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) and Wendy Olayiwola, President, Nigerian Nurses Association UK and Professional Midwifery Advocate.

At the follow-up bilateral discussions after the summit, Mariam Jashi and Judy Stenmark discussed prospects of continued collaboration between the UNITE Parliamentarian Network, the Global Sepsis Alliance, and the Global Self-Care Foundation, including how to integrate self-care in Universal Health Coverage policies and initiatives, and expressed hopes for future collaboration for the advancement of the reinvigorated global agenda for sepsis.

Katja Couball
Session “Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis" from the 2024 WSC Spotlight Now Available on YouTube and as a Podcast

Session 7 from the 2024 World Sepsis Congress Spotlight is now available on YouTube (embedded above) and as a Podcast on Apple Podcasts (search for World Sepsis Congress in your favorite podcast app).


Session 7: Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis

The Phoenix Criteria – How We Got Here
Luregn Schlapbach, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland

The Phoenix Criteria Revealed
Daniela de Souza, Global Sepsis Alliance, Brazil

Personalized Care Post-Discharge for Sepsis
Matthew Wiens, University of British Columbia, Canada

The Latest Update on Fluid Therapy in Sepsis
Jhuma Sankar, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India

The Advances of the WHO in Pediatric Sepsis Initiatives
Emilie Calvello-Hynes, World Health Organization, Switzerland

Empiric Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis: Progress to Date
Sally Ellis, Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership, Switzerland


Sessions are released weekly on Tuesdays. The next session will be ‘Personalized Approaches to Sepsis Management’ on June 25, 2024.

You can already subscribe on either platform to be automatically notified once new sessions are available.


Full Release Schedule

  • S1: Opening Session: The Renewed Global Agenda for Sepsis – Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  • S2: The Need for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Sepsis in Surgical Patients – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  • S3: Data, AI, and Predictive Modeling in Sepsis – Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  • S4: How Does Hypervolemia Increase the Mortality Risk in Sepsis? – Tuesday, May 28, 2024

  • S5: The Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Sepsis – Tuesday, June 4, 2024

  • S6: Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient – Tuesday, June 11, 2024

  • S7: Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis – Tuesday, June 18, 2024

  • S8: Personalized Approaches to Sepsis Management – Tuesday, June 25, 2024

  • S9: Challenges and Solutions for Early Recognition and Treatment of Sepsis – Tuesday, July 2, 2024


Marvin Zick
Surviving Sepsis – Story of a Young Girl Who Survived Sepsis

I came back home from a long trip and met one of my young daughters looking so lean and slim, and I was like, are you growing taller or just slimming to fashion? Her siblings said, “No Mum, she had been ill with a fever that is not responding to treatment.” My first thought was typhoid fever, because this was quite prevalent in our areas, with the lack of clean drinking water and other environmental issues.

So, off to the hospital, we went to see a doctor. After laying all her complaints, and after examination the doctor ordered some laboratory investigations which included Blood Culture. Meanwhile, she was given anti-malarial medications, antibiotics, and fluids (intravenous infusion) as she was unable to eat anything, and was dehydrated. Despite these measures, her condition worsened. She became lethargic to the point of needing support to walk. Suddenly, a realization hit me, “Could this be sepsis?”

Incidentally, all these took place at the weekend, when there’s this lackadaisical attitude and manpower shortages in all departments. The laboratory was working half–capacity, and no scientist on the ground to give us a preliminary result. I thought I could not wait until Monday before commencing her proper treatment to manage what was unfolding in front of us by the second.

I promptly returned her to the doctor and recommended starting her on broad-spectrum antibiotics to cover a wide range of possible infections. We also administered supplemental oxygen because her oxygen levels were below normal.

There was an issue with the hospital’s stock of antibiotics, so my husband had to buy the prescribed antibiotic from the pharmacy across the street. When he initially brought back the medication, I realized it was not the specific antibiotic the doctor had prescribed for her condition. I pleaded with him to go back and buy the exact one prescribed because this was a life-and-death situation, and we couldn't take any chances. 

At this point, I was becoming so anxious and getting worried that I might lose my daughter if proper care was not taken. All the family members gave the spiritual and psychological support that was needed.

Fortunately, by the second day of receiving the antibiotic, she started to recover gradually, gaining her strength and appetite, her fever dropped and at that moment, I knew we had won the battle. My sweet sixteen-year-old girl was back on her feet, and is a “Sepsis Survivor”!

Sepsis presented itself at my doorstep when I least expected it, being an advocate and a sepsis Champion, I am glad that I was able to recognize it early and gave the right drug at an early stage to combat it. In doing so, I stopped sepsis and saved a life!

 

Halima Salisu-Kabara

Mother to the Sepsis Survivor


The article above was written by Halima Salisu Kabara, one of our Global Sepsis Alliance Board Members, and is shared with her explicit consent. The views in the article do not necessarily represent those of the Global Sepsis Alliance. They are not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The whole team here at the Global Sepsis Alliance and World Sepsis Day wishes to thank her for sharing her daughter’s story and for fighting to raise awareness for sepsis.

Katja Couball
Session “Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient" from the 2024 WSC Spotlight Now Available on YouTube and as a Podcast

Session 6 from the 2024 World Sepsis Congress Spotlight is now available on YouTube (embedded above) and as a Podcast on Apple Podcasts (search for World Sepsis Congress in your favorite podcast app).


Session 6: Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient

New Global Definition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Michael Matthay, University of California San Francisco, United States of America

Alveolar Inflammation in ARDS
Lieuwe Bos, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands

Biomarkers in ARDS and Sepsis
Lorraine Ware, Vanderbilt University, United States of America

Unraveling the Enigma of Genetics and Phenotypes in Sepsis and ARDS
Carmen Barbas, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Pedro Povoa, University of Lisboa, Portugal

Ventilator Support and Sepsis in Low-Middle Income Countries
Marcus Schultz, Mahidol University, Thailand


Sessions are released weekly on Tuesdays. The next session will be ‘Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis’ on June 18, 2024.

You can already subscribe on either platform to be automatically notified once new sessions are available.


Full Release Schedule

  • S1: Opening Session: The Renewed Global Agenda for Sepsis – Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  • S2: The Need for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Sepsis in Surgical Patients – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  • S3: Data, AI, and Predictive Modeling in Sepsis – Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  • S4: How Does Hypervolemia Increase the Mortality Risk in Sepsis? – Tuesday, May 28, 2024

  • S5: The Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Sepsis – Tuesday, June 4, 2024

  • S6: Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient – Tuesday, June 11, 2024

  • S7: Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis – Tuesday, June 18, 2024

  • S8: Personalized Approaches to Sepsis Management – Tuesday, June 25, 2024

  • S9: Challenges and Solutions for Early Recognition and Treatment of Sepsis – Tuesday, July 2, 2024


Marvin Zick
GSA Celebrates Launch of Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) is pleased to announce the successful launch of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance, at a historic event hosted by the University of the West Indies on May 26.

The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance is established under the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago and support from co-founding members from Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana.

GSA looks forward to making a historic breakthrough in the sepsis response in the region in close collaboration with the founding members of the Caribbean Alliance and the continued leadership of Prof. Niranjan “Tex” Kissoon - GSA President.

The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance will be the 6th official regional representation of the Global Sepsis Alliance and GSA will host the official website of the Caribbean Alliance.

A Caribbean where Sepsis is recognized early and treated effectively, thereby reducing deaths and improving patient outcomes.
— Vision of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance

The launch event of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus on May 26, featured a series of insightful presentations from leading scholars and public health experts.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Professor Hariharan Seetharaman - Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of West Indies, Professor Mala Rao - Senior Clinical Fellow of Imperial College London, and a representative of EarthMedic and EarthNurse Foundation for Planetary Health.

Dr. Satish Jankie - Lecturer of the University of the West Indies, introduced the mission and objectives of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance. The mission of the Alliance is to reduce the incidence and mortality of sepsis through improved awareness, early detection, and effective treatment.

The current state of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Caribbean was presented by Dr. Rajiv Nagessar - Medical Officer in Microbology presenting data and strategies to mitigate this growing problem.

Dr. Darren Dookhiearam - Senior Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago focused on Sepsis in the Community Setting, offering insights into the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and focused on the importance of timely detection and timely antibiotic treatment.

In his presentation, Dr. Dale Ventour – UWI Lecturer in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care explored Sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit, sharing the challenges and management of sepsis and highlighting the reasons why the establishment of the Caribbean Alliance is important.

Dr. Lisa Benjamin – UWI Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health discussed the Anti-Microbial Resistance in Veterinary Medicine, highlighting the interconnectedness of human and animal health.

The program continued with a Keynote Address by Prof. Niranjan 'Tex' Kissoon, President of the Global Sepsis Alliance. Prof. Kissoon highlighted the critical importance of the unified approach to combat Sepsis and AMR worldwide and expressed his enthusiasm for the new alliance and stronger regional collaboration for combating sepsis and improving patient outcomes.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Sandeep Maharaj, Director of the School of Pharmacy at the University of West Indies. He reiterated the significance of the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance and thanked all the participants and speakers for their valuable contributions.

The Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance represents a unified effort to address the burden of sepsis in the region and is one step closer to improving healthcare across the Caribbean.

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) congratulates the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance on its launch and looks forward to close collaboration with the healthcare leaders in the region to address the burden of sepsis and AMR.



Katja Couball
Session “The Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Sepsis” from the 2024 WSC Spotlight Now Available on YouTube and as a Podcast

Session 5 from the 2024 World Sepsis Congress Spotlight is now available on YouTube (embedded above) and as a Podcast on Apple Podcasts (search for World Sepsis Congress in your favorite podcast app).


Session 5: The Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Sepsis

Biomarkers of Relevance in Low-Resource Settings
Andrew Argent, University of Capetown, South Africa

A Patient is Admitted at the Emergency: What to Do?
Rita Murri, Gemelli University of Rome, Italy

Clinical Phenotypes: What Do They Suggest?
Chris Seymour, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America

Biomarkers as Endpoints for Treatment Efficacy
Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, European Sepsis Alliance, Greece

Reducing Antibiotics With a Single Host Biomarker in Neonates Suspected of LOS: The Emeraude Study
Sylvie Pons, Joint Research Unit Hospices Civils de Lyon – bioMérieux, France


Sessions are released weekly on Tuesdays. The next session will be ‘Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient’ on June 11, 2024.

You can already subscribe on either platform to be automatically notified once new sessions are available.


Full Release Schedule

  • S1: Opening Session: The Renewed Global Agenda for Sepsis – Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  • S2: The Need for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Sepsis in Surgical Patients – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  • S3: Data, AI, and Predictive Modeling in Sepsis – Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  • S4: How Does Hypervolemia Increase the Mortality Risk in Sepsis? – Tuesday, May 28, 2024

  • S5: The Role of Biomarkers in the Early Detection of Sepsis – Tuesday, June 4, 2024

  • S6: Detecting Sepsis in the Ventilated Patient – Tuesday, June 11, 2024

  • S7: Closing the Needs in Pediatric Sepsis – Tuesday, June 18, 2024

  • S8: Personalized Approaches to Sepsis Management – Tuesday, June 25, 2024

  • S9: Challenges and Solutions for Early Recognition and Treatment of Sepsis – Tuesday, July 2, 2024


Marvin Zick
GSA Salutes First Report on Sepsis in Belgium, Leading to a National Plan

The Global Sepsis Alliance is proud to celebrate a historic achievement in the fight against sepsis in Belgium. On Friday, May 31, the first-ever comprehensive report on sepsis has been officially handed over to the Belgian Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke.

This landmark event was made possible also through the dedication and efforts of GSA member Sepsibel, and the remarkable contributions of sepsis survivor Ilse Malfait. Her tireless dedication, courage, and advocacy have been instrumental in bringing the urgent issue of sepsis to the forefront of national health discussions.

The journey to this achievement began with a powerful TV report on Belgian national television VRT, which highlighted the devastating impact of sepsis. In response, Minister Vandenbroucke mandated Prof. Erika Vlieghe to produce a report for the preparation of a national action plan. Prof. Vlieghe swiftly mobilized a group of 62 experts from different disciplines, including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and sepsis survivors, who produced the report in just six months. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Vlieghe for her exceptional leadership and to all the experts and survivors who contributed to this groundbreaking report.

At the World Sepsis Day event on September 12, 2023.

The GSA and the European Sepsis Alliance have been early supporters of Sepsibel since its inception. Our collaboration has been driven by a shared goal to enhance sepsis awareness, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately save lives. Sepsibel’s rapid mobilization and effective advocacy efforts, exemplified by the work of Ilse Malfait, have been truly inspiring. Her personal journey as a sepsis survivor has brought a powerful and relatable voice to the cause, helping to raise awareness and drive change at a national level. Ilse shared her story at the GSA World Sepsis Day event on September 12, 2023.

Reflecting on this historic milestone, Prof. Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of the Global Sepsis Alliance, stated: “We congratulate Sepsibel, Ilse Malfait, Prof. Vlieghe, and Minister Vandenbroucke for achieving this historic milestone in record time. The swift production of this report within just six months is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of everyone involved. This achievement will undoubtedly pave the way for future advancements in sepsis awareness and management.”

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance joins Prof. Reinhart in his congratulatory note to Belgium colleagues and notes: “Minister Vandenbroucke demonstrated a truly remarkable leadership, and we hope Belgium will inspire other EU policymakers to urgently prioritize sepsis in national and regional health policies in line with the 2017 World Health Assembly Sepsis Resolution. Belgium has also demonstrated best practice for people-centered and evidence-based health policy-making through active engagement of multi-disciplinary teams and sepsis survivors in the dialogue. As the GSA, we are especially proud of Ilse Malfait and our esteemed colleagues at Sepsibel for their inspiring fight that led to this critically important achievement".  

As we celebrate this significant achievement, we remain focused on the future. The Global Sepsis Alliance will continue to support Sepsibel as we work towards the implementation of a national sepsis plan in Belgium.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to this milestone and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the fight against sepsis.

THE REPORT AT A GLANCE

The submission of this report is not just an achievement in itself, but it also marks the beginning of a crucial process. The ultimate objective is to develop a national sepsis plan for Belgium, a comprehensive strategy that will ensure better prevention, recognition, and management of sepsis across the country. This first step lays the groundwork for significant improvements in public health and patient care.

The Belgian Sepsis National Action Plan (Be-SNAP) focuses on seven key areas to combat sepsis:

Awareness and Knowledge:

  • Increase public awareness and understanding of sepsis.

  • Educate healthcare providers on early recognition and management of sepsis.

  • Develop a National Sepsis Foundation to serve as a hub for educational materials and support.

Prevention and Safeguarding Antimicrobials:

  • Strengthen healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations.

  • Promote vaccination and infection prevention measures.

  • Implement antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent the misuse of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance.

Early Warning Systems:

  • Develop and validate sepsis screening tools for use in various healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities, primary care, and hospitals.

  • Implement early warning scores and rapid response systems to detect and manage sepsis promptly.

Early Adequate Treatment:

  • Ensure timely administration of antibiotics and supportive care.

  • Provide large-scale education for healthcare providers on basic and advanced sepsis treatment.

  • Guarantee 24/7 availability of specialized care teams for severe cases.

Care Trajectory for Sepsis Survivors:

  • Develop a multidisciplinary rehabilitation pathway addressing physical, psychological, and neurological needs.

  • Ensure seamless transition and follow-up care from hospital to home.

  • Provide education on post-sepsis syndrome and support for survivors and their families.

Ethical Considerations and Advanced Care Planning:

  • Educate healthcare providers and the public about advance care planning and critical illness outcomes.

  • Support general practitioners and specialists in implementing advance care planning.

  • Ensure the availability of advance directives for all relevant healthcare providers.

Research and Surveillance:

  • Establish a Belgian sepsis registry to collect detailed data on sepsis cases.

  • Promote sepsis research and international collaboration.

  • Develop real-time analysis and reporting systems to monitor sepsis trends and improve patient care.

These pillars aim to reduce the incidence and impact of sepsis in Belgium through comprehensive strategies involving prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and continuous support for survivors. The plan emphasizes collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and patient advocacy groups to achieve these goals.

Simone Mancini
Dr. Mariam Jashi Addresses the 77th World Health Assembly to Prioritize Sepsis
No mother and child should die due to the lack of essential equipment and supplies to timely identify and timely treat Sepsis.
— Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance

Today, Dr. Mariam Jashi addressed the 77th World Health Assembly, urging the global health community to prioritize the fight against sepsis.


This Constituency Statement addresses agenda item 11.7 and is supported by the following 5 Non-State Actors: Humatem, International College of Surgeons (ICS), International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE), International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), and the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA).

The Non-State Actors supporting the statement called for the UN Member States and the Secretariat to prioritize the prevention, early detection, and effective management of sepsis.

Despite progress, sepsis affects 26.2 million women and 20.3 million children every year.

Sepsis widens inequality gaps, as women and children living in poverty are at higher risk.

Without a reinvigorated response to sepsis, health-related Sustainable Development Goals for maternal, neonatal, and child health cannot be achieved.

Yet, sepsis remains almost invisible in the global health architecture. Sepsis receives disproportionally low political attention and financial investments compared to its human and economic burden.

When we rightly prioritize Antimicrobial Resistance, we have to remember that the 5 million AMR-related deaths are part of 13 million sepsis-related deaths.

Therefore, we call on the Member States to urgently prioritize sepsis as recommended by the World Health Assembly Resolution WHA70.7

  • We specifically call for the development and implementation of national action plans and policies for sepsis. 

  • We urgently call for evidence-based sepsis clinical pathways for pediatric and adult populations, with a special focus on perinatal care services to ensure safe motherhood practices. 

  • No mother and child should die due to the lack of essential equipment and supplies to timely identify and timely treat sepsis. Diagnostic devices, live-saving antibiotics, oxygen, and treatment facilities for sepsis-related organ dysfunction should be universally accessible. 

  • Sepsis literacy should be enhanced, and we shall further strengthen vaccination and water and sanitation practices as key elements of sepsis prevention. 

  • Finally, public and private stakeholders should prioritize research and development for better quantity and quality of data, and novel solutions for prevention, early detection, and effective treatment of sepsis.

Katja Couball