CLINICAL24: Uniting the world in the fight against sepsis with the Global Sepsis Alliance
CLINICAL24 supporter, the Global Sepsis Alliance, advances global efforts to combat sepsis through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement
25 Nov 2024
The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the global burden of sepsis through leadership, education, and advocacy. With initiatives like World Sepsis Day and World Sepsis Congress, the GSA is at the forefront of the global sepsis battle, working with healthcare professionals, governments, and advocacy groups to save lives. GSA plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the challenges of diagnosing and treating sepsis, and SelectScience® is proud to announce GSA has joined the #CLINICAL24 campaign as one of its key supporters.
A world free of sepsis
The GSA’s mission is to provide global leadership in reducing sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to infection. To achieve its vision, a world free of sepsis, the GSA works closely with over 120 member organizations worldwide, including patient advocacy groups, professional societies, healthcare authorities, and governments.
One of its most significant achievements came in 2017 when the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized sepsis as a global health priority. The adoption of the WHO Sepsis Resolution, pushed forward by the GSA, marked a milestone in addressing the issue of sepsis on an international scale. This resolution sets the stage for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment globally, with the WHO allocating $4.6 million towards its implementation.
World Sepsis Day and World Sepsis Congress
World Sepsis Day, established by the GSA in 2012, takes place annually on September 13. This global event raises awareness of sepsis through various activities, ranging from medical education programs to public awareness campaigns. Events such as fundraisers, informational seminars, and even sporting events are organized to spread the critical message: Early detection and treatment save lives.
In addition to World Sepsis Day, the GSA hosts World Sepsis Congress, the largest global event focused on sepsis. These online congresses bring experts from around the world together to share knowledge, discuss advances in technology, and highlight strategies for combating sepsis. Through these initiatives, the GSA ensures that sepsis remains a key focus for healthcare systems worldwide.
A global fight with local solutions
The GSA recognizes that different regions face unique challenges in addressing sepsis. To combat this, it has established Regional Sepsis Alliances. These alliances, such as the African Sepsis Alliance, collaborate with local stakeholders and regional governments to implement changes specific to their healthcare environments.
Sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death in Africa, where healthcare systems often struggle with limited resources. The African Sepsis Alliance, founded in 2016, works to raise awareness and improve outcomes in the region by aligning local strategies with the broader goals of the WHO Sepsis Resolution.
A vision for the future
Looking to the future, the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, led by the GSA, aims to reduce the incidence of sepsis worldwide by 25% and improve survival rates by over 20%. The strategy, developed in collaboration with 70 member organizations, focuses on improving responses to sepsis in both community and healthcare settings.
By pushing for stronger integration of sepsis into the global health landscape and improving early detection methods, the GSA hopes to avert millions of preventable deaths. Clinical laboratory scientists will play a crucial role in achieving these goals, as advanced diagnostics are key to identifying sepsis in its early stages.