SEPSIS AWARENESS

The Foundation is dedicated to addressing critical issues affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children, as part of its humanitarian initiatives. In alignment with the third Sustainable Development Goal for child health, which aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030, the Foundation recognizes the urgent need to reduce infection-specific neonatal mortality in the developing world, including sepsis.

To raise awareness and advocate for solutions to this pressing health challenge, the Foundation organized a Sepsis Awareness Campaign commemorating World Sepsis Day 2023. The event took place at the Maternity Clinic of The Good Shepherd Hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria.

During the campaign, Barrister Ruth Soronnadi, Head of Legal, Research and Impact at the Foundation, provided an introduction to the Foundation’s mission and explained its commitment to Sepsis Awareness as part of its humanitarian objectives. Dr. Ifeoma Eze, a respected resource person affiliated with the Foundation, delivered an educational session on Sepsis, focusing specifically on neonatal Sepsis.

Dr. Eze discussed the symptoms of Sepsis, emphasized preventive measures, and provided guidance on immediate actions to take upon identifying symptoms. The women in attendance, along with hospital authorities, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for raising awareness about this critical medical issue and providing valuable information to help combat it.

Through initiatives like the Sepsis Awareness Campaign, the Honorable Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, particularly the rights of children, by addressing vital health concerns in the community.

FACTS

– Globally, an estimated 30 million cases of sepsis occur each year.

– Sepsis is a primary cause of death from infection.

– Sepsis causes more deaths than prostate cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined.

– Sepsis accounts for 60-80 percent of lost lives per year in childhood.

– In the developing world, sepsis accounts for 60 to 80 percent of lost lives per year in childhood.

– Patients surviving sepsis have twice the risk of death in the subsequent five years compared with hospitalized controls.

– Hospitalizations for sepsis have more than doubled over the last 10 years.

– It is estimated 3 million new-borns and 1.2 million children suffer from sepsis globally every year.

– Three out of every ten deaths due to neonatal sepsis are thought to be caused by resistant pathogens.

CHALLENGES

– Poor awareness on the definition, symptoms and treatment of Sepsis.

– Absence of systematic review of the aetiology of infection and clinical outcomes.

– Lack of extensive aetiology data for proper empirical analysis of the condition.

– No evidenced research outcomes to aid optimal clinical management of Sepsis in Africa.

– Lack of informed clinicians to promptly identify the symptoms and administer rapid intervention.

– Hospitalizations for sepsis have more than doubled over the last 10 years and total cost for treating patients hospitalized for sepsis increased 11.9 percent on a yearly average.

– Affordable antibiotics for the middle and low-income earners.

Empowering legal scholars for a more civil society

Our Mission

Conduct extensive research into sepsis and produce a proper empirical analysis and data of the condition cross countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Actively monitor trends in the evolution of an infection to sepsis condition and provide the evidence for clinical evaluation.

Community geared grass root awareness programs to raise awareness on the symptoms of the condition and the necessary lifesaving actions to implement

Organizing workshops and seminars to train local clinicians and healthcare workers for early detection of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

Actively creating digital media campaigns raising awareness on precaution, prevention and control of sepsis.

Constant reassessment of preventive measures for effectiveness of infection control in community settings.

Supporting the local communities with programs on effective hygiene practices and precautions.

Funding and developing sustainable and functioning infection prevention and control centres in government hospitals.

Provision of access to hygiene products and free vaccines for those at high risk.