2nd Long COVID Congress – Stream Three Sessions on Sepsis For Free – Nov 24, 2023
2nd Long COVID Congress – Stream Three Sessions on Sepsis For Free – Nov 24, 2023

On November 24 and 25, the 2nd Long COVID Congress will take place as a hybrid conference in Jena. Embedded in the English track of the congress, we would like to draw your attention to two sepsis-related sessions and the plenary lecture. For these three sessions, the organizers of the conference were so kind as to waive the attendance fee and make a free live stream available.

  • Session 4 (November 24, 2023, 1:30-2:45 pm CET): Lessons Learned from the Pandemic for Reducing Mortality and Prevention of Long Term from COVID and Sepsis

  • Session 6 (November 24, 2023, 3:00-4:30 pm CET): Pathophysiology – Differences and similarities of sepsis, COVID-19, and other inflammatory conditions 

Additionally, there will be a plenary lecture by Dr. Uzma Syed (November 24, 2023, 4:45-5:30 pm CET):

Dr. Uzma Syed is an expert in infectious diseases with comprehensive knowledge of COVID-19, vaccine distribution processes, and the impact of these factors on health equity. As a dedicated advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and women's rights, Dr. Syed oversees numerous national and local political campaigns for health justice and social equity. She is also the founder of Align Us, a non-profit organization that mentors young individuals in preparing for post-secondary careers. Her humanitarian efforts range from resettling refugees and organizing annual school supplies and toy drives to volunteering in soup kitchens. Dr. Syed has volunteered with UNICEF for children's rights and has been involved with both the Global Youth Assembly and the United Nations to promote mobile health in underserved countries.

The complete English program can be found below. For detailed information about the congress and registration for the full program, please visit the congress website.

Marvin Zick
World Prematurity Day 2023 – small actions BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-To-Skin Care for Every Baby Everywhere
World Prematurity Day 2023 – small actions BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-To-Skin Care for Every Baby Everywhere

World Prematurity Day is celebrated every year on 17 November to honor the over 13 million babies that are born preterm each year, worldwide. What began 15 years ago at a small gathering of European parent organisations, has by now become a global movement. Today, countless individuals and organizations from across the world join forces with activities and events to draw attention to the topic of preterm birth. Their aim is to sensitize society to the needs and challenges of preterm-born babies, their families as well as medical professionals in the field of neonatology.

With this year's motto "small actions BIG IMPACT: immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere", World Prematurity Day is setting an example for baby- and family-centered, developmental care (IFCDC) in the neonatal intensive care unit, right from the moment of birth. Although data gives proof of the many benefits of skin-to-skin contact for the baby, the parents, and ultimately the healthcare system, it is not yet routine, for parents of preterm babies in particular, to have this form of early physical contact with their child from the very beginning. This is the case especially if the child was born very prematurely or with a very low birth weight.[1]

However, preterm babies benefit significantly from this practice. Compared to their term-born peers, babies born preterm often have a weaker immune system and are, at the same time, more likely to receive intensive medical treatment, making them especially susceptible to sepsis. An infection can be transferred during invasive medical procedures such as intravenous lines or breathing support by a mechanical ventilator. IFCDC practices such as immediate Kangaroo Care have been shown to reduce severe infections by 65% as they have a positive effect on the temperature regulation of the baby and support breathing, and weight gain.[2]

About World Prematurity Day

The awareness day was founded in 2008 by EFCNI and other European parent organizations and was joined in 2010 by the US organization March of Dimes, the African organization LittleBigSouls, and the Australian National Preemie Foundation.

References

[1] WHO Immediate KMC Study Group. (2021), Immediate “Kangaroo Mother Care” and Survival of Infants with Low Birth Weight. N Engl J Med 2021; 384:2028-2038 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026486

[2] Conde-Agudelo A, Díaz-Rossello JL. Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD002771. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002771.pub4

Katja Couball
The Global Sepsis Alliance Supports Movember – Do You?
The Global Sepsis Alliance Supports Movember – Do You?

Every November, Movember is celebrated all around the world, raising awareness for men’s health, especially focused on mental health, suicide prevention, as well as prostate and testicular cancer.

With the COVID Pandemic still not a thing of the past – significantly affecting the mental health of millions – the work of the Movember Foundation has never been more important – and they have never needed your support more.

Although sepsis does not primarily affect males – it strikes women and men about equally – we encourage you to join the noble cause of Movember this year, by growing a mo to save a bro, moving 60km, hosting a mo-ment, getting involved on social media, and more.

Marvin Zick
Global Sepsis Alliance at 2023 World Health Summit and Bundestag Meetings
Global Sepsis Alliance at 2023 World Health Summit and Bundestag Meetings

Dr. Mariam Jashi, designated CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance, and Prof. Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of the GSA, represented our Alliance at the 2023 World Health Summit and related side events at the German Parliament.

  • Dr. Jashi as the Global Board Member of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network moderated a working meeting at Bundestag on October 16 “Investing in a Healthier Future: unlocking Resources for Innovation in Infectious Diseases”. Dr. Marison Touraine – Chair of the UNITAID Board and the Former Minister of Social Affairs and Health of France was the Key Speaker at the event with an introductory presentation by Dr. Teodora Elvira C. Wi – Lead on Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs Programmes at WHO. The meeting was attended by Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite – President of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network, Dr. Andrew Ulmann - Chair of the Global Health Sub-committee of the German Parliament, honorable members of Parliament from France, Germany, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, as well as civil society partners (AHF, CEPI). Prof. Reinhart stressed the importance of investing in evidence-based policies and innovations for a stronger global sepsis response, including through advocacy at the levels of Parliaments, Governments, and public-private partnerships.

  • On October 17, GSA representatives participated in the second working meeting at the German Parliament with UNITAID, GAVI, Global Fund, AHF, and WHO. The meeting discussed the outcomes of the High-Level Meetings on UHC and the Pandemic Accord convened on the margins of the UN General Assembly session in September 2023. Prof. Reinhart and Dr. Jashi reiterated the urgent need for stronger positioning of Sepsis in the high-level Global Health dialogue, as without adequate response to Sepsis, health-related SDHs and related aspirations for UHC and the Pandemic Accord cannot be achieved.

  • Finally, Dr. Jashi was among the distinguished Speakers at the WHS side event organized by the Virchow Foundation for Global Health, Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, and the German Health Alliance on Women Global Health. 2023 Virchow Prize Laureate Prof. Leke delivered the Keynote Speech. The meeting Chaired by Hon. Hermann Gröhe – Member of Parliament and Former Federal Minister of Health of Germany brought together prominent global health leaders, including Catharina Böhme – Assistant Director General of WHO, and Roland Göhde – CEO and Co-founder of the Virchow Foundation. The Designated CEO of the GSA used this unique opportunity to highlight the human and economic burden of Sepsis and the need for a reinvigorated global agenda.

As informed earlier, the GSA, in partnership with 6 co-sponsor agencies, hosted the High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis on the margins of the 2023 World Health Summit.

Katja Couball
High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis on the Margins of 2023 World Health Summit
High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis on the Margins of 2023 World Health Summit

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) in partnership with the Virchow Foundation for Global Health, Sepsis Stiftung, UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), and Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) convened the 2nd partnership meeting on sepsis on the margins of the 2023 World Health Summit in Berlin.

On October 15, the High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis at the Berlin Global Health Collective brought together senior officials from Parliaments (France, Germany, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Ukraine), Governments (Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany, Embassy of Georgia to the Federal Republic of Germany), UN agencies (WHO, UNFPA), The G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership, civil society (Women in Global Health), private sector (BRAHMS, Drägerwerk AG, Google, Siemens Healthineers, Sysmex Europe, 4TEEN4, Teqbahn Labs) and academia (STAIRS Project, Consortium of Universities in Global Health, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership).

The meeting was attended by the following politicians, legislators, and members of the UNITE Parliamentarian Network for Global Health:

  • Hon. Andrei Belii – Member of Parliament of Moldova and Chair of the Health Committee;

  • Hon. Alan Donnelly – Chair of the G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership;

  • Hon. Bedri Fazli – Member of Parliament of North Macedonia;

  • Hon. Hermann Groehe – Member of the German Parliament and the former Federal Minister of Health;

  • Hon. Irina Kutsenko – Member of the Odesa City Council (Ukraine), and

  • Hon. Liliana Tanguy – Member of Parliament of France

The meeting was opened by Prof. Detlev Ganten – The Founding President of the World Health Summit and Co-founder of the Virchow Foundation for Global Health. Prof. Ganten highlighted the significance of the fight against sepsis for the attainment of health-related Sustainable Development Goals and briefed the participants on the new partnership initiative of the Virchow Foundation for Global Health and the Global Sepsis Alliance.

Prof. Konrad Reinhart – The Founding President of GSA and President of Sepsis Stiftung – presented the history of the global sepsis movement, the latest evidence on the disease burden from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluations (IHEM) that sepsis claims the lives of 13.7 million children, women, and men annually. He highlighted the outstanding leadership and role of Hon. Hermann Groehe, Member of the German Parliament and the former Federal Minister of Health in supporting the GSA efforts for the development and adoption of the 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution on Sepsis.

Mrs. Shahrazad Kiavash – Ambassador for Sepsisfonden, Sepsis Survivor, Speaker, and Triathlete from Sweden – shared her story as a voice of the 50 million people and their families who experience the immense suffering from sepsis every year. Shahrazad has been an inspiration for thousands of sepsis survivors and their families and to the global health leaders and actors, how she has turned her life challenge and pain into an incredible journey of perseverance, victories, and hope.

Dr. Uzma Syed – Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and the Author “COVID-19 Viral Sepsis” – joined the meeting through a special video address. She presented her experience from the COVID-19 pandemic and perspectives on sepsis as a critical element for the attainment of the comprehensive global health agenda.

Dr. Mariam Jashi – Designated CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliances, Former Member of Parliament, and Deputy Minister of Health of Georgia – presented the Berlin Declaration on Sepsis as the urgent call for the enforcement of the 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution (WHA70.7) and reinvigorated global action on sepsis. The Declaration already signed by 75 international health agencies serves as a foundation for the development of the renewed Global Agenda for Sepsis that GSA will lead in coordination with partner organizations.

The Berlin Declaration and the call for urgent action for the global sepsis response were reinforced by statements from:

  • Mr. Dennis Kredler – Vice President of the Global Sepsis Alliances and Sepsis Survivor

  • Hon. Hermann Groehe – Member of Bundestag and the former Federal Minister of Health

  • Dr. Keith Martin – Executive Director of CUGH and the former Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons

  • Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi – President of the Medical Women’s International Association

  • Dr. Christoph Hamelmann – Chef de Cabinet of WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean

  • Dr. Andreas Bergmann – CEO of 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals, and

  • Dr. Rupa Patel – Associate Professor Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University

The High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis was moderated by Mrs. Melanie Whittaker, the General Manager of the Sepsis Stiftung.

Mr. Roland Goehde – CEO and Co-founder of the Virchow Foundation for Global Health – summarized the discussions and the consensus for the urgent reinvigoration of the sepsis agenda and a stronger and better-coordinated partnership for the cause. He re-emphasized that attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals would not be feasible without an effective global response to sepsis and expressed hope for continued and stronger partnership in the area.

The High-Level Luncheon on Sepsis on the Margins of the 2023 World Health Summit was the 2nd event initiated by the Global Sepsis Alliance in partnership with the 6 co-sponsor agencies - Virchow Foundation for Global Health, Sepsis Stiftung, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) and the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA).

The 1st High-Level Side Event on “Synergizing Global Actions for Sepsis, AMR, and PPPR for Attaining Health Related SDGs” was convened on September 21, 2023, in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

As the next step to the series of the 2023 high-level meetings and dialogue, the Global Sepsis Alliance will lead the development of the renewed global agenda for sepsis in partnership with the Regional Sepsis Alliances, key partner agencies, and global stakeholders.

Marvin Zick
ISF Lowry Fink Fellow 2024-2025 – Call for Applications from Low- and Middle-Income Countries
ISF Lowry Fink Fellow 2024-2025 – Call for Applications from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The International Sepsis Forum is pleased to announce the ISF Lowry Fink Fellowship – which recognizes the immense contributions made by Stephen F. Lowry and Mitchell Fink to advancing the science of sepsis – is open for 2024-2025 applications.

The Fellowship will offer rising stars, residing and working in low- and middle-income countries, in the field of sepsis the opportunity to promote education and research and to participate in clinical investigations through partnership with industry in a stimulating and supportive environment.

The principle behind the Fellowships is that they will be beneficial to both the Fellow and the ISF. Fellows would gain from interaction with the Council members and from working on activities with the ISF that will contribute to raising their international profile in sepsis. Applicants should be clinicians or scientists mid-career at the time of application, and with a record of accomplishment and proven interest in sepsis.

Fellowship Terms of Appointment

  1. Duration: 2 years fixed term, starting January 1, 2024

  2. Must be residing and working in a low-or middle-income country

  3. Nominating process:

    a. Self-nomination

    b. Council can propose names

    c. Seek names from other persons or groups

  4. Election: By majority vote of the council

  5. Number: 1-2 at any one time

  6. Status: Full voting member of Council during the Fellowship

  7. Roles and responsibilities:

    a. Co-chair a ISF Colloquium

    b. Be the lead author on a summary paper arising from the Colloquium, to be submitted as a draft to the council within six months of the meeting

    c. Participate in other ISF educational activities such as Sepsis 20XX and meet-the-expert sessions

    d. Fellows must contribute to a minimum of one extra activity per year, plus attend one Council meeting per year

  8. Financial Support: As per the ISF travel policy for Council members

Applicants should send a brief letter of application (no more than one page), three recommendation letters, and a curriculum vitae with a list of publications to Elaine Rinicker, Executive Director ISF, at elaine@sepsisforum.org.

Applications close at 17:00 US Eastern Time on November 15, 2023.

Marvin Zick
Infection 360 – What's Trending in Infection Prevention & Control 2023 – Nov 8-9, 2023
Infection 360 – What's Trending in Infection Prevention & Control 2023 – Nov 8-9, 2023

Join the Infection 360 Conference from 8-9 November 2023 at the Pendulum Hotel and Manchester Conference Center as it returns for a second year, where renowned speakers with infection prevention backgrounds discuss technology and its part in combatting new and existing pathogens.

Infection 360 will cover a range of topics within infection prevention & control. Day one will cover Surgical Site Infection (SSI), Sustainability in IPC, CPE, MRSA, and other challenging pathogens. Healthcare buildings as a source of infection will be the focus of Day two.

Infection 360 will be featuring a large exhibition for companies to showcase new products and technologies within the realm of infection prevention.

Marvin Zick
2023 GSA Awards Now Open for Applications and Nominations – Apply Until October 31, 2023
2023 GSA Awards Now Open for Applications and Nominations – Apply Until October 31, 2023

Today, the Global Sepsis Alliance is thrilled to announce that the 2023 GSA Awards are now open for applications and nominations from all over the world.

The GSA Awards honor major contributions in the fight against sepsis every year and are exclusively and kindly sponsored by the Erin Kay Flatley Memorial Foundation.

The awards are granted in three categories:

  1. Governments and healthcare authorities

  2. Non-Governmental organizations, patient advocate groups, or healthcare provider groups

  3. Individual nominees

In addition to recognition, prestige, and – of course – a beautiful trophy, winners of categories 2 and 3 are awarded $2,500 each.

The deadline to apply or nominate is Tuesday, October 31, 2023 end of the day. Please share this opportunity with your colleagues, friends, and other interested parties.

If you are encountering technical issues, or for any questions or feedback on the application process, please contact us.

Marvin Zick