Yesterday, Global Sepsis Alliance and Sepsis Stiftung participated in the Symposium hosted by the Global Coalition on Aging and Acton Institute at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

The meeting was dedicated to discussions on “Solving for Antimicrobial Resistance: A Rising Global Health and Humanitarian Crisis.”

Speakers and panelists of the Symposium included Renzo Pegoraro, the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life;  Takuko Sawada, Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board, Shionogi; Damiano de Felice, Chief of External Affairs, CARB-X; Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of the Global Sepsis Alliance and President of the Sepsis Stiftung; John Alter  -  CEO, AMR Action Fund; Robin Hiley, Composer & Producer, LIFELINE; Francesca Manno – Director of the Department of Treasury, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy; Joel Denis – Director General of the Public Health Agency of Canada; Laurent Muschel – Acting Director General of HERA, European Commission; Atsutoshi Hagino – Delegate of the Japan Ambassador to Holy See; Michael Hodin – CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging and Michael Severance – Director of Acton Institute.

World-renowned American actor and producer Bill Pullman, who has been actively engaged in AMR Advocacy, delivered a special statement and, in parallel to the Vatican Symposium, worked on a documentary on antimicrobial resistance and its threats to humanity. The Global Sepsis Alliance applauds Mr. Pullman's commitment, reiterating the importance of engaging public figures in awareness-raising on AMR and its critical links to sepsis.

Prof. Konrad Reinhart was requested to deliver a presentation on “Sepsis and the Impact of AMR”. He highlighted that the estimated 4.95 million AMR-associated or attributable deaths are only part of the 13.66 million sepsis-related deaths (see slide below) and called for urgent political support and advocacy for synergizing the AMR and sepsis actions. He noted that after the historic 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution on Sepsis, thanks to the successful leadership of Prof. Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Health of Germany, the call for the synergies of sepsis and AMR policies was integrated into the G7 Health Ministers’ Communique under the German Presidency in 2022. However, Prof. Reinhart expressed disappointment that sepsis disappeared in the latest G7 outcomes documents vis-à-vis AMR under the leadership of other G7 countries and asked the relevant government representatives attending the Symposium for action. Prof. Reinhart noted that young children, pregnant women, and older adults over 65 years of age are at special risk of sepsis and septic shock, and efforts on AMR in these high-risk groups also call for stronger harmonization. Finally, he presented highlights of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis that GSA launched at the German Parliament on September 10, as the first multi-year global strategy in the field.

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance, participated in the panel discussions and focused on the following key messages:

• Importance of hosting the Symposium at the Pontifical Academy on Science as engagement and leadership of religious leaders is essential in raising awareness on global health threats, such as AMR and sepsis

• AMR-related deaths are part of the sepsis-related deaths, and every political dialogue and declaration on AMR should be linked to sepsis as the human face of the AMR burden

• The 120 ongoing armed conflicts and the consequent humanitarian crisis involving 362 million children, women, and men increase the risk of infectious diseases and sepsis

• She presented the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis which describes how the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals aspirations will be missed without adequate response to sepsis and AMR.

Simone Mancini, Partnership Lead of the Global Sepsis Alliance, participated in the Q&A Session and, building on the recent civil society meeting in Brussels, addressed the acting Director of HERA with a request to prioritize sepsis in 2025 or 2026 Workplans. He highlighted the statistics that over 3 million people are affected in the EU every year by sepsis, and the cause is linked not only to the AMR but also to Pandemic Preparedness and Response and cross-border threats.

During the discussions, two Hong Kong and Italy delegates shared their sepsis-related stories. They reconfirmed how critical it is to link AMR efforts with sepsis prevention and clinical management.

The Global Sepsis Alliance and Sepsis Stiftung—together with our strategic partners—will continue consistent advocacy for integrated sepsis in the high-level AMR dialogue at the upcoming 4th Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and other major global health forums.

The estimated 4.95 million deaths associated with or attributable to AMR are only part of the 13.66 million Sepsis-death toll every year and this correlation should be reflected in AMR political declarations, policy, and advocacy documents.

UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health convened its 4th edition of the UNITE Global Summit on October 16, 2024, in Berlin on the margins of the World Health Summit. The Summit was attended by current and former legislators from across the globe and key global health players and leaders from WHO, the Global Fund, GAVI, the World Health Summit, and other stakeholders. 

Within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and the Global Sepsis Alliance, a special Parliamentary Inquiry Session was dedicated to the discussions on Sepsis and AMR.

The Global Sepsis Alliance delegation to the UNITE Global Summit included Prof. Konrad Reinhart – Founding President, Dr. Mariam Jashi – CEO, Marvin Zick – General Manager, Simone Mancini – Coordinator of Regional Sepsis Alliances and Katja Couball – Communication Manager. 

The Sepsis and AMR Session at the UNITE Summit was moderated by Hon. Amar Patnaik, UNITE Global Board Member and Chapter Chair for India. Speakers included Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance and former Member of Parliament of Georgia, and Deepali Patel, Director of the AMR Action Fund. 

The following legislators participated in the panel discussions: 

• Hon. Sobita Gautam - the youngest elected Parliamentarian of Nepal and the 2023 One Young World Politician of the Year Award winner

• Hon. Sonia Sidhu - Member of Parliament of Canada and Chair of the All-Party Diabetes Caucus.

• Hon. Valentina Buliga - former Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family and Member of Parliament of Moldova

• Hon. Claudio Marte González - politician and diplomat from the Dominican Republic 

• Hon. Allal Amraoui - member of the European Network of Parliamentarians for a Healthy Environment and a renowned surgeon and accomplished politician of Morocco.

• Hon. Benson Phiri - Member of Parliament of Malawi and President of the Eastern and Southern African Parliamentary Caucus on SRHR Population and Sustainable Development.

Dr. Mariam Jashi presented the recently launched 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the session and highlighted the critical links of Sepsis and AMR.

She addressed the Parliamentarians and the audience with three main questions: 

1.  How can we continue to live in a world where up to 50 million children and adults are affected by Sepsis each year, yet fail to prioritize it in every political dialogue and global health forum? Dr. Jashi presented the human, societal and economic arguments, why Sepsis should be mainstreamed in the high-level political dialogue and global health architecture.

2. While we applaud the historic progress made in AMR advocacy as a global health threat, how can we continue to discuss AMR in isolation without acknowledging Sepsis, when 4.95 million AMR-related deaths are part of 13.66 million Sepsis-related deaths?

3.  How can we continue to overlook Sepsis in the Global Health and Development Architecture when it is linked to 9 Sustainable Development Goals? Dr. Jashi reiterated that Sepsis affects 50 million people every year, including 20 million children and 5.7 million pregnant women, and is fueled by poverty, malnutrition, pandemics, gender inequality, humanitarian crises, climate change, and other disparities and emergencies.

The Session discussions covered the plan of the Global Sepsis Alliance to establish a High-Level Political Panel for Sepsis and the ways how politicians, members of legislative and executive branches of government, can facilitate strengthening of the Sepsis response at national, regional, and global levels.

We hereby express sincere gratitude to the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and its Founding President Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite for our ongoing and successful collaboration, and critical support in launching the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Bundestag in September 2024.  

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It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that we inform you of the sudden passing of Dr. Emmanuel Nsutebu, our distinguished colleague and friend.

Emmanuel was a Board Member of the Global Sepsis Alliance,  Founder and Chair of the African Sepsis Alliance, and Chair of Tropical and Infectious Diseases at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and, most crucially, a father, husband, and friend.

Emmanuel founded the African Sepsis Alliance in 2016 and has played an instrumental role in its institutional growth ever since.

He was a widely acknowledged health practitioner and global health expert. In recognition of his outstanding knowledge and experience,  Emmanuel Nsutebu has served as an advisor and consultant on infectious diseases and sepsis on Boards and task forces of the World Health Organization, Royal Liverpool Hospital, NHS England, NHS Improvement, and other leading organizations in the field.

Emmanuel Nsutebu has been an unwavering advocate and voice for the most vulnerable children and adults suffering from infectious diseases and sepsis, especially in low-resource settings.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Emmanuel in mourning our tragic loss.

The Global Sepsis Alliance, the African Sepsis Alliance, and each member of our community will make sure that the legacy and the name of Dr. Emmanuel Nsutebu is remembered in our common fight.

Sepsis is intricately related to antimicrobial resistance, and the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Veterinary medicine can have public health concerns. Transmission of multi-drug resistant strains between humans and animals also poses a risk to all. The aim of this webinar is to equip veterinarians/students and healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to identify factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals, enabling prompt and effective intervention to improve detection, treatment, and reduce transmission between species.

This free webinar takes place on Thursday, November 7th, 2024, from 5:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm AST.

On 8 October, at the occasion of the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting, Global Sepsis Alliance CEO, Dr Mariam Jashi, and Regional Alliances Coordinator, Simone Mancini, organised an outreach programme in Brussels, including encounters with key potential partner organisations, and Brussels based members.

Simone Mancini and Mariam Jashi at the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting.

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is a directorate-general of the European Commission created to prepare the EU for future pandemics. Its Civil Society Forum, of which the European Sepsis Alliance is a member, is a consultative body composed of organisations active in a broad range of public health policy areas and contributing to the definition of HERA’s strategy and initiatives. At the meeting, Dr Jashi stressed on the need to include sepsis awareness, early detection and treatment in the list of HERA priorities for 2025, considering its close relevance to other priorities, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A copy of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis was also well received by HERA representatives at the meeting.

Dr Jashi and Mr Mancini also met with Nicholas Brooke and Amanda Bok, respectively Executive Director and Chief Partnership Officer of The Synergist, a non-profit organization that facilitates multi-stakeholder collaborative programs to address complex societal challenges. They discussed possible ways to maximise the impact of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis and the outreach towards potential supporters and partners. Building on the valuable advices received, the exchange will continue in the coming months.

The GSA team with Frazer Goodwin and Milka Sokolović, EPHA.

The trip was also the opportunity to meet with the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), one of the major public health organisations bringing together healthcare professional, patient groups, and civil society organisations across Europe. Dr Jashi presented the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to EPHA Director General, Dr Milka Sokolović, and Senior Communications & Advocacy Manager, Frazer Goodwin. The two organisations share similar structure, challenges and ambitions and will continue the dialogue to identify possible areas of collaborations.

Mariam Jashi, GSA CEO, Marianne Haverkamp and Aurica Pria, ESA Patient and Family Support WG Co-Chairs, Simone Mancini, GSA Coordinator Regional Sepsis Alliances.

The day concluded with informal meetings with the Vice President of the GSA, Dennis Kredler, and later with the chairs of the European Sepsis Alliance Patient & Family Support Working Group, celebrating the recent nomination of sepsis survivor Marianne Haverkamp as co-chair. Dr Jashi shared the plan included in the 2030 Agenda to set up a Global Sepsis Patient Group, building on the experience of the ESA WG and of the call to action of the Paris Declaration, recently published on The Lancet.

My father was a remarkable man—a hardworking, honest soul with a quick wit and a cheeky grin. He had a deep love for Africa, its breathtaking tapestry of diverse landscapes, where the stillness of the wilderness is punctuated by the vibrant life that thrives within it.  He marvelled openly at each breathtaking golden sunrise and sunset that painted our sky.   His respect for the continent and its people was profound; he spoke several indigenous African languages, bridging cultures and forming lasting connections with those around him. His passion for Africa shaped my love for this land, instilling in me the values of kindness and understanding.

Dad navigated the challenges of celiac disease from his early 50's.  During his golden years and towards the end of his life he and my mum often attributed his discomfort and frequent flare-ups to accidental gluten ingestion.  He believed he could manage this condition, unaware that something far more sinister was quietly developing.   I was only made aware of the cancer after my father’s surgery and by then sepsis had already killed him.

In early September 2023, amidst my all-consuming career that often overshadows other aspects of my life, I took my father to our general practitioner.  After a thorough examination, she diagnosed an intestinal obstruction and urgently referred us to a surgeon at our local hospital.  Little did we know that this journey marked the beginning of a nightmare we couldn’t have anticipated.

 Upon arriving at the hospital, the resident surgeon confirmed the need for surgery, explaining that my father would require an overnight stay for bowel preparation.   We stayed with Dad until the end of the late evening visiting hours and left him in what we thought were capable hands, reassured that he seemed stable, albeit connected to a drip for pain and dehydration.   Unbeknownst to us my father’s health took a dramatic turn for the worse during the night and it wasn’t until I received a call the following morning that I learned he had been moved to the ICU due to a dangerously high fever of nearly 40°C. Panic gripped me as I rushed to the hospital, my heart racing with dread.

 When I arrived in the ICU, I was met with a sight that will haunt me forever. My father was shaking uncontrollably, his face a mask of pain and fear. I rushed to his side, tried to find out from the ICU nursing staff what was going on - no one would give me an honest answer.  He was in agony, the blood pressure monitor wrapped around his upper arm caused immense pain.   When the nursing staff turned him on his side he yelled out in agony.  All I could do for him was hold the oxygen mask over his mouth away from nasogastric (NG) tube and dab the tears from his eyes.   I desperately tried to remain calm for him.  I talked him through his laboured breathing. It was an agonizing moment when he mustered the strength to tell me he was going to die.  I will never forget those words...

“Breathe, Dad,” I urged, my voice trembling. “You can do this.”   I watched him, his hands violently shaking, his eyes closed he fumbled and managed to find my wrist and pinch my skin, his silent way of saying, “No, my girl, I’m dying.”

The helplessness was devastating as I stood by, watching sepsis take hold of him, each breath growing more laboured, each moment more excruciating. Sepsis was now not just a medical term - it had become a monstrous reality, ravaging my father’s body while I was left in the dark as to its severity.

For six agonizing hours, I stood by his side, powerless to stop the inevitable. The medical staff would not prioritise his surgery, and by the time they finally operated, sepsis had already claimed my dad.  My father was grappling with a silent killer that had gone unrecognized until it was far too late.

My father’s passing was not just a tragic loss; it was a preventable tragedy. The lack of urgency from the healthcare providers left us vulnerable and unprepared for the horror that unfolded before our eyes.

Sepsis is a global health crisis.  It affects around 49 million people every year, at least 11 million die – one death every 2.8 seconds.  Depending on country, mortality varies between 15 and more than 50 %.   Many surviving patients suffer from the consequences of sepsis for the rest of their lives.  

With nearly 17 million cases and 4 million deaths occurring each year in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), sepsis-attributable morbidity and mortality is higher in sSA than in any other world region. Everybody in Africa deserves a chance to survive sepsis. 

Collective and concerted action is urgently needed to save lives and avoid deaths from sepsis - African Governments and institutions should lead these efforts.   At the very least, basic infection prevention control and early response should be prioritised.  

In memory of my father, all those that have lost their lives to this monster and all those that have survived - let us shine a light on sepsis, advocate for vigilance, communication, and urgent action.  No one should endure such a fate.

My dear dad, who taught me so much:   Brian Hayes 27 December 1947 – 7 September 2023

Robyn Hayes Badenhorst

Daughter, Wife, Friend, and Humanitarian

Head of Division:  Supporting Health Initiatives, A Division of Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd

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The article above was written by Robyn Hayes Badenhorst and is shared here 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 Robyn for sharing her father’s story and for fighting to raise awareness for sepsis.

We are thrilled to announce that the Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) has been selected to join the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN) of the World Health Organization in July 2024. Prof. Tex Kissoon, GSA President, and Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the  Global Sepsis Alliance, attended the first in-person convening of the network at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on October 17-18, 2024.

The ACAN is a flagship initiative established after the approval of the resolution at the seventy-sixth World Health Assembly to strengthen access to quality emergency, critical, and operative (ECO) care services worldwide. The network aims to enhance the delivery of acute care, particularly in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), by disseminating and evaluating WHO tools and resources.

Dr. Teri Reynolds leads the WHO’s work on the ECO strategy in the Integrated Health Services Department, which is under the leadership of Dr. Rudi Eggers.

The inclusion of the Global Sepsis Alliance in the ACAN network underscores the increasing recognition of sepsis as a critical condition to be addressed at the global level and highlights the significant role that GSA plays in advancing the global health agenda.

The GSA is grateful to the WHO for the unique opportunity to present the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to over 40 member organizations of ACAN during the meeting and to invite ACAN members to join the global fight against Sepsis by endorsing the document and/or exploring joint partnership opportunities.

Prof. Kissoon and Dr. Jashi were especially delighted to see, that Mr. Tore Lærdal, Executive Director and donor of the Lærdal Foundation in his presentation on the priority health investments highlighted the global burden of sepsis and the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis launched by the Global Sepsis Alliance in September 2024. Mr. Lærdal emphasized that sepsis, as well as Injury, remain the leading causes of death that are still inadequately addressed by the Global Burden of Disease studies or the latest Lancet Commission’s Report on 2050 global health investments.

We will continue to keep our member organizations and the broader community updated on our involvement with ACAN and the progress we make together. This milestone is not just a gain for GSA, but also a significant step forward in the global fight against sepsis.

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance, expressed her excitement about this new opportunity:

“The Global Sepsis Alliance is honored to be accepted as a new member of WHO’s Acute Care Action Network. We are committed to actively engaging in ACAN efforts to strengthen ECO services, including improving the quality of sepsis care. This collaboration is pivotal for advancing our 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis.”

— Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO, Global Sepsis Alliance

“Being part of ACAN is a testament to the critical importance of sepsis on the global health stage. This collaboration will allow us to work closely with WHO and other partners to ensure that the advancements in sepsis care reach those who need it most, particularly in resource-limited settings.”

— Prof. Tex Kissoon, President, Global Sepsis Alliance

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the GSA Fellowship, a new initiative by the Global Sepsis Alliance, aimed at fostering global collaboration, education, and leadership in the fight against sepsis. The Fellowship ushers in an exciting chapter of growth and opportunity for individuals dedicated to combating this critical health issue.

The 2-year GSA Fellowship is designed with several key objectives in mind:

• Broadening Multidisciplinary & Multi-Regional Involvement:

  • The program seeks to expand the scope of participation within GSA, welcoming experts from a variety of fields and regions to enrich the organization’s efforts.

• Engaging Fellows in GSA Programs & Regional Sepsis Alliances (RSAs):

  • Fellows will actively participate in existing initiatives and programs, working closely with GSA and RSAs to drive meaningful change.

• Creating Learning Opportunities with Global Sepsis Experts:

  • Through the Fellowship, participants will engage with leading sepsis experts from around the world, gaining valuable insights and knowledge to advance their careers and make a tangible impact.

• Nurturing Potential for Regional, National, and International Impact:

  • The GSA Fellowship aims to empower Fellows to make a difference not only within their local communities but also on a national and international scale, promoting best practices and innovative approaches to sepsis care.

The GSA Fellowship replaces the previous GSA Advance Program. Many of the current GSA Advance Members will transition into the new Fellowship to build on the accomplishments and momentum of the past.

The next application cycle for the GSA Fellowship will open in March 2025, with the next term set to officially begin in August 2025. We encourage individuals from diverse disciplines and regions who are passionate about tackling sepsis to consider applying for this unique opportunity starting in March 2025.

The GSA Fellowship is chaired by Imrana Malik, with Maha Aljuaid serving as her co-chair and Aamir Siddiqui as program coordinator.

Stay tuned for further updates and join us in celebrating the launch of the GSA Fellowship as we take another significant step forward in the global fight against sepsis.