On Tuesday July 14, NHS England (NHSE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Sepsis, outlining a ten-year vision to transform sepsis care by 2035.

The MSF aims to reduce deaths, life-changing complications, and the long-term impact of sepsis for everyone by at least 25% over the next decade. This will be achieved through better prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved treatment, rehabilitation, research, and innovation.

The ambition is simple but powerful: to make sure every person with sepsis receives the best possible care the NHS can offer, whenever and wherever they need it.

 Dr Ron Daniels BEM, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, and Vice President of the GSA said: “The publication of the Sepsis MSF marks a significant moment for patient safety. For too long, progress in sepsis care has been held back by fragmented and inconsistent practice. This framework sets out to change that, and we welcome plans for improved diagnostics, treatment and care.“

Why a Sepsis MSF?

Modern Service Frameworks are a key part of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. They are long-term frameworks designed to tackle the biggest health killers by setting consistent national standards and supporting high-quality, high-value, and equitable care across key clinical pathways. Sepsis is a priority condition for the new MSF because of the significant mortality, morbidity, and healthcare activity that results from it: it’s the second biggest killer after cardiovascular disease in England.

In the UK, five people lose their lives to sepsis every hour. It’s a life-threatening condition which arises when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs and is estimated to affect 245,000 people in the UK every year, claiming 48,000 lives.  82% of sepsis survivors are experiencing ‘Post-Sepsis Syndrome’ more than a year after hospital discharge, and 18% left permanently unable to work.

The MSF’s publication comes as sepsis continues to place considerable pressure on both the NHS and the wider economy. In 2024/25, sepsis was responsible for more than 154,000 emergency hospital admissions in England (based only on coded data, so almost certainly an underestimate), while new research from the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC), commissioned by the UK Sepsis Trust, estimates that the condition costs the UK economy £23 billion annually.

What it means for patients

Sepsis is one of the biggest killers in England and tackling sepsis is a priority for the NHS. The new NHS Sepsis Modern Service Framework has a clear goal, to reduce deaths, serious illness, and long-term harm from sepsis by at least 25% by 2035. This means better, more consistent care for everyone across the country.

It will improve the way sepsis is treated right now, while also accelerating innovation and research to develop new and better treatments for the future. Looking ahead, a sustainable national research and innovation infrastructure — guided by patient experience and aligned with clear implementation pathways — will continue to drive improvements in care for generations to come.

What it means for HCPs

The Sepsis MSF addresses both the immediate need to strengthen existing care pathways and the longer-term ambition to accelerate research and innovation, developing new models of care that will transform how sepsis is prevented, identified, and treated.

Some patient groups face significantly worse outcomes from sepsis due to health inequalities. The Sepsis MSF explicitly prioritises reducing these disparities, ensuring improvements in care and outcomes are equitable and felt across all population groups and life stages.

Dr Daniels commented: “However, it’s important to remember that this is a 10-year plan and we are not expecting immediate delivery of all of its proposals. Nonetheless, it is hugely encouraging to see the framework’s suggestion that by 2035, we will have the best and most resilient infrastructure for recognising and managing sepsis, for all people and in all settings, in the world. 

"We look forward to working alongside NHSE and DHSC to ensure that this MSF fulfils its world-leading potential in transforming sepsis outcomes across our health system."

The 6th World Sepsis Congress has officially concluded, and we are delighted to share the final report, highlighting the remarkable reach, engagement, and impact of this year’s event.

Held on April 22 and 23, 2026, under the theme “Universal Sepsis Care for Newborns, Children, and Women,” the congress brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, survivors, and advocates from around the world to advance knowledge and improve outcomes for some of the populations most vulnerable to sepsis.

As always, the congress was completely free to attend and featured live presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and on-demand access to all sessions following the event.

Among this year’s highlights:

• 7,824 registrations from more than 150 countries, despite registration being entirely optional

• For the first time ever, World Sepsis Congress was streamed directly to YouTube, making the congress even more accessible across the web, mobile devices, and smart TVs

• 92 speakers, panelists, and moderators from 35 countries, representing every region of the world

• More than 19 hours of educational sessions, including 15 scientific sessions and two live panel discussions

• An average of 1,345 views per session and 175 simultaneous live viewers, making this the most-watched World Sepsis Congress to date

• Support and endorsement from more than 40 international organizations.

Participant feedback was once again overwhelmingly positive. Attendees rated the congress 9.29 out of 10 overall, with similarly high ratings for both the quality of the speakers (9.2/10) and the relevance of the scientific content (9.18/10). Speakers and moderators also reported an excellent experience, giving the congress an overall rating of 9.26 out of 10.

The congress also reflected our continued commitment to diversity and global representation. More than 60% of speakers were women, and faculty members came from 35 countries across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America.

World Sepsis Congress continues to demonstrate that high-quality global medical education can be accessible to everyone, regardless of geography or financial resources.

The complete report includes detailed statistics on registrations, audience demographics, viewing figures, participant and speaker satisfaction, and much more.

Download the full report to explore the complete results and insights from the 6th World Sepsis Congress.

Last but not least, we thank our Scientific Committee, speakers, moderators, supporting organizations, sponsors, and, above all, the thousands of participants who joined us from around the world.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 7th World Sepsis Congress, taking place on April 21 and 22, 2027, under the theme “Reimagining Sepsis Care: Innovation, Implementation, and Global Equity.”

A reimagined 3‑day, course-based meeting on fluid stewardship, hemodynamic monitoring, and physiology-driven critical care, IFAD 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the International Fluid Academy Days with an intentionally small, highly interactive program designed to translate physiology into real bedside decisions for multidisciplinary clinicians.

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Introduction – Why Antwerp in December 2026?

From 3–5 December 2026, Ziekenhuis Aan de Stroom (ZAS) Cadix, Antwerp, Belgium, will host the 15th anniversary edition of the International Fluid Academy Days (IFAD 2026).

This landmark meeting brings together clinicians who care for acutely ill and perioperative patients to focus on one central theme: doing fluid therapy better, through structured, interactive learning.

Unlike a traditional large congress, IFAD 2026 has been reimagined as a course-based experience where every session is designed to connect physiology, monitoring, and clinical reality. Antwerp provides the backdrop for a three-day journey that is deliberately paced, integrated, and geared toward practical change in daily practice.

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A different kind of critical care meeting

IFAD 2026 is explicitly designed as a course-based, interactive meeting focused on clinical practice, not as a passive, auditorium-driven congress. The organizers have built the program around the premise that learning is most effective when it is active, structured, and clinically relevant.

Instead of long lectures delivered to hundreds of silent listeners, the meeting emphasizes small-group teaching, case-based discussions, interactive sessions, and direct exchange with international experts. Participants are not just attendees; they become active contributors in a shared learning environment where questions, doubts, and local practices are openly discussed. This format creates space to explore complex fluid decisions and hemodynamic dilemmas in depth, with faculty guidance.

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A structured three-day learning journey

The IFAD 2026 program is intentionally constructed as a progressive three-day pathway, where each day builds on the previous one. The aim is to move from fundamentals to advanced application in a logical, clinically meaningful sequence.

Day 1 – Foundations of fluid therapY

The first day concentrates on the core principles of fluid management. Participants revisit key aspects of fluid physiology and fluid types, and work through the fundamentals of maintenance, replacement, and resuscitation strategies.

Interactive and case-based sessions are used in the afternoon to reinforce these concepts and connect them directly to typical clinical scenarios, such as early shock resuscitation or perioperative fluid prescriptions. By the end of the day, participants should have a clearer, physiology-driven framework for deciding when and how to start fluids, and how to avoid inappropriate or excessive administration.

Day 2 – Applying principles to real patients

On Day 2, the focus shifts to applying fluid therapy principles in perioperative and critical care settings. Sessions explore electrolyte disturbances, organ-specific challenges, and complex clinical contexts where fluids interact with vasopressors, ventilation, and organ support.

Extended case-based discussions allow participants to walk step by step through real-world situations, from the emergency department to the operating room and ICU. Questions such as “How do I adapt my fluid strategy in a patient with coexisting kidney injury and respiratory failure?” or “What does this hemodynamic monitoring profile mean for my next fluid decision?” can be explored with faculty and peers.

Day 3 – Advanced concepts and integration

The final day brings the learning journey to an advanced level, focusing on fluid-related pathophysiology, organ interactions, metabolic disturbances, and AI. Participants examine how cumulative fluid balance, capillary leak, venous congestion, and organ cross-talk influence outcomes in critically ill and high-risk surgical patients.

IFAD 2026 concludes with an interactive quiz and diploma-style session, designed to consolidate learning, highlight key take-home messages, and ensure that participants leave with a coherent, integrated view of fluid stewardship. The three days are offered as a continuous course; participation is structured as a full 3-day experience rather than single-day drop-in attendance, protecting continuity and progression.

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Educational philosophy: active, structured, clinically grounded

The educational philosophy behind IFAD 2026 is clear: learning should be active, structured, and directly linked to bedside decisions. The meeting uses small groups, interactive formats, and real cases to keep participants engaged and to mirror the complexity of real clinical practice.

Participation is intentionally limited to preserve interaction and ensure that every clinician has the opportunity to ask questions, debate options, and receive feedback from faculty. Rather than expanding in size, this 15th edition focuses on refining how we learn – prioritizing depth over breadth, and dialogue over one-way communication. Over the past 15 years, the International Fluid Academy has contributed to education and research in fluid management; IFAD 2026 represents the next chapter in that journey by focusing on the quality of the learning environment.

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What you will take back to the bedside

IFAD 2026 is designed so that participants not only acquire new knowledge but also develop practical strategies for implementation in their own units. Throughout the three days, the emphasis remains on translating physiology and hemodynamic monitoring into concrete, patient-centered decisions.

Clinicians can expect to leave with:

• A clearer, stepwise approach to fluid assessment and prescription, from maintenance to resuscitation

• An improved understanding of how to integrate hemodynamic monitoring into decision-making, rather than using it in isolation

• Practical insights into preventing and managing fluid overload, congestion, and organ dysfunction

• Frameworks to support fluid stewardship programs and more rational, team-based fluid management in daily practice

By working through cases in an interactive setting, participants can stress-test these concepts against their own experience and local protocols, making change more feasible once they return to their hospitals.

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Who should attend

IFAD 2026 is aimed at multidisciplinary clinicians involved in fluid therapy and the care of acutely ill or high-risk surgical patients. Intensivists, anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, internists, perioperative clinicians, and advanced practice nurses or physician assistants with an interest in critical care and perioperative medicine will all find the content directly relevant.

The structure of the meeting makes it accessible to participants with different levels of prior exposure to advanced hemodynamic concepts. Early-career clinicians can use the course to build a robust foundation, while experienced practitioners can refine their practice, update their knowledge, and benchmark their own approaches against international perspectives. The limited group size and emphasis on discussion create a setting where diverse disciplines can learn from each other and build shared language around fluid stewardship.

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Practical details and next steps

IFAD 2026 – the 15th anniversary International Fluid Academy Days – will take place from 3–5 December 2026 in ZAS Cadix, Antwerp, Belgium. The meeting is offered as a three-day, course-based experience, with a structured program that progresses from foundational principles to advanced clinical application and an interactive quiz/diploma-style closing session.

Participation is intentionally limited to protect interaction and ensure the quality of the learning journey. A detailed program, including session formats and faculty list, will be released and updated over time on the official website. Information on registration, logistics, and any future updates will also be provided there as they become available.

Visit the official International Fluid Academy website to explore IFAD 2026:

On January 4, 2026, our lives changed forever.

Our daughter, Lieke, died from sepsis. She was only two years old.

Lieke was a cheerful, loving, and curious little girl. She loved dancing, cuddling, playing outside, and discovering the world around her. She found joy in the smallest things and had a smile that could light up any room. To us, she was our greatest happiness.

Like every parent, we believed that if our daughter ever became seriously ill, modern healthcare would be able to help her. 

We never imagined that we would lose her within just a few days.

On New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, Lieke became ill. At first, it seemed like the flu or a common viral infection—something many young children experience during the winter months.

But something didn't feel right.

On January 1, we sought medical attention. We returned to the general practitioner again on January 2, and once more on January 3. Every day we saw that Lieke was not getting better. Every day, as parents, we felt that something was wrong. 

As a parent, you know your child.

You notice when their smile disappears.

You notice when they no longer behave like themselves.

And sometimes you simply can't explain it—you just know, deep down, that something is seriously wrong.

Unfortunately, the early symptoms of sepsis are often difficult to recognize. They closely resemble those of the flu or a common viral infection. That is exactly why sepsis is still diagnosed far too late, when every minute counts.

On January 4, we knew we had to seek help once again.

For the fourth time, we took Lieke to our general practitioner.

That was the moment everything changed.

Within minutes, it became clear how critically ill she was.

Less than two hours later, we had to say goodbye to our daughter.

She died from sepsis.

She was only two years old.

Less than a week earlier, we had celebrated Christmas together.

Less than five days earlier, we had welcomed the New Year as a family.

No parent ever expects life to change so completely in such a short period of time.

Until that day, we had never even heard of sepsis.

We didn't know how quickly it could become life-threatening.

We didn't know that every hour matters.

And we didn't know that sepsis affects millions of people worldwide every year and remains one of the leading causes of death across the globe.

Since losing Lieke, one question has stayed with us every single day.

What if we had known about sepsis sooner?

We will never know the answer.

But we do know one thing.

If we had known what sepsis was before January 4, we would have done everything in our power to make sure other families had that knowledge. 

That is why we decided that Lieke's story could not end on the day she died.

On March 10, 2026, we founded the Voor Lieke Foundation.

Not because we had left our grief behind.

We never will.

But because we believed that Lieke's story could save lives.

Our mission is simple:

To make sure everyone knows what sepsis is.

Because recognizing sepsis saves lives.

Every day, we work to raise awareness among parents, healthcare professionals, schools, sports clubs, childcare organizations, businesses, and communities.

We provide education, develop awareness materials, organize campaigns, collaborate with healthcare organizations, and actively engage with the media.

Not because we want to keep telling our own story.

But because every family deserves to know the warning signs of sepsis before it is too late.

Our foundation was not created out of anger.

It was created out of love.

Love for our daughter.

 And from the belief that no family should have to experience the unimaginable pain of losing a child because sepsis was not recognized in time.

We cannot bring Lieke back.

But perhaps her story can help save another child.

Perhaps her story will give a parent the confidence to trust their instincts.

Perhaps her story will encourage a healthcare professional to consider sepsis just a little earlier.

And perhaps her story will mean that another child is still alive tomorrow.

That is why we continue.

For Lieke.

For every parent. 

For every child.

For greater awareness.

For earlier recognition. 

For more lives.

Because recognizing sepsis saves lives.

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The article above was written by Meran Bosgraaf, Lieke’s father, and is shared here with his 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 Meran and his wife for sharing Lieke’s story and for fighting to raise awareness for sepsis.

The STAIRS Consortium will host the next lecture of the STAIRS Global Sepsis Lecture Series on Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm EAT / 3pm GMT / 5pm CEST.  Dr. Eugene Martey, MD, Pediatric Critical Care Specialist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, will present the second part of a two-part series about the updated Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines (SSC) in Children 2026.

We look forward to an engaging and highly insightful session with Dr. Martey, offering valuable updates for all participants working in pediatric critical care and beyond.

We warmly encourage you to join us and to share this invitation widely within your network.

Registration

If you have not yet registered, please do so via the button below or with the QR- code above.

Missed a Live Session?

 Last session on the 2026 SSC Updates on the Definition and Diagnosis of Pediatric Sepsis, as well as recordings of all past sessions, have been made available on Learning-STAIRS and YouTube. We encourage you to use these resources and to visit the STAIRS website for additional content and the latest publications on sepsis in low- and middle-income settings

About the Series

The STAIRS Global Sepsis Lecture Series brings together leading experts from Africa and beyond to support capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange on all aspects of sepsis. With a focus on both adult and pediatric care, the series highlights clinical management from an interprofessional perspective and explores topics such as infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance, telemedicine, and quality improvement. 

Lectures are held bi-weekly over 24 months and are open to clinicians, nurses, students, and healthcare professionals across STAIRS partner countries—and beyond. Please feel free to share this invitation widely within your networks.

CPD Points and E-Certificates

We are working with various institutions to offer CPD accreditation. Participants affiliated with the Arsi University CPD Center (Ethiopia) are already eligible for CPD points. To register for CPD points via Arsi University, please complete the following form: CPD Registration Form. E-certificates will be issued for the attended lectures.

For any questions, please contact us at stairs-sepsis@charite.de.

Update: The webinar is now available to rewatch above and on YouTube, including chapter markers, so you can jump right to the topic/speaker that interests you most.

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Join us today for the second webinar in the European Sepsis Alliance’s series on Antibiotic Stewardship in the Critically-Ill.

This free webinar, featuring Prof. Matteo Bassetti and Dr. Luke Moore and moderated by ESA Chair Prof. Evangelos Giamarellos-Bourboulis, will prioritize new and emerging evidence, behavioral and organizational aspects of antibiotic stewardship, and gaps between evidence and real-world practice, with a discussion on how to improve adherence and optimize patient outcomes.

The event recording will be available at the same URL immediately after the livestream has concluded.

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About This Webinar Series

The European Sepsis Alliance webinar series on antibiotic stewardship in critically-ill patients will bring together leading international experts to discuss the latest evidence, practical implementation strategies, and real-world clinical challenges in antimicrobial stewardship.

Across two live sessions on June 4 and June 17, participants will explore topics including biomarker-guided stewardship, bedside implementation, behavioral and human factors that influence protocol adherence, and emerging research that will shape future practice.

The webinars will feature expert presentations, case-based discussions, and interactive live Q&A sessions with internationally recognized specialists in intensive care, infectious diseases, and sepsis care.

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Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific

This webinar is kindly supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific, whom we sincerely thank for their continued support. Sponsors do not influence the choice of speakers or the content of the webinar in any way.

Sinéad O'Reilly and Prof. Steve Kerrigan at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombundsmen

As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026, the European Sepsis Alliance (ESA) has addressed Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in a letter urging them to seize this unique opportunity to place sepsis on Europe’s health policy agenda.

The letter follows months of sustained advocacy by Irish sepsis advocate Sinéad O’Reilly and Prof. Steve Kerrigan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), who have appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen to make the case for coordinated European action on sepsis. At the heart of this effort lies the story of Sarah, a 34-year-old woman and mother of twins, who died of sepsis eleven weeks after being admitted to hospital.

Sarah’s story is also the story of hundreds of thousands of patients across Europe who continue to die because sepsis is not recognised and treated in time. The European Sepsis Care Survey has documented wide and persistent disparities among Member States in hospital infrastructure, workforce training, and standardised clinical protocols. The Irish Presidency offers a unique opportunity to begin closing these gaps.

The message from Sinéad O’Reilly, Prof. Kerrigan, ESA, WHO Europe, European policymakers, and the signatories of the ESA Call to Action is clear: use this moment to initiate a coordinated European response to sepsis.

Building Political Momentum in Ireland

Ciaran Staunton, Sinéad O'Reilly and Prof. Steve Kerrigan at the second aution of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombundsmen

On 17 February 2026, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen convened to hear Petition No. P00070/25, which called on the Irish Government to place sepsis awareness and management on the agenda of its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Sinéad O’Reilly and Prof. Steve Kerrigan of RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences appeared before the Committee, chaired by Deputy Louise O’Reilly, to present the evidence and make the case for Irish leadership on sepsis.

The hearing prompted a strong response from Committee members, including Deputy Brendan Smith, Senator Páraic Brady, and Senator Aubrey McCarthy, and a commitment from Minister of State Niamh Smyth, who had previously met with Sinéad and other sepsis advocates.

Sinéad and Prof. Kerrigan returned before the Committee on 22 April 2026, alongside GSA Board Member Ciaran Staunton, to build on this momentum. As a result, Committee members have requested a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, which is currently being arranged.

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Sarah’s story: a family tragedy transforming sepsis policy response in Ireland

Sarah was 34 years old when she died. She worked as a Vigilance Specialist for Baxter Healthcare and excelled in her profession. She enjoyed baking, arts and crafts, and professional photography, but languages were her true passion. Originally from Germany, she was fluent in German, French, and English, and after moving to Ireland, she had also begun mastering the Irish language.

Sarah moved to Ireland 13 years ago after meeting my brother Patrick. Following a three-year-long-distance relationship, they married and were overjoyed when they bought their first home together. However, Sarah’s greatest dream was to start a family and become a mother.

The journey was not straightforward. Sarah underwent arduous fertility treatment and IVF before becoming pregnant with their precious twins, Lilly and PJ, whom we all regarded as little miracles.

Eleven weeks after the twins were born, I received a call from Sarah one Saturday morning in August. She told me that she had been vomiting during the night and was experiencing severe pain in her right side.

At the time, I was working as a Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist. Based on Sarah’s symptoms, I suspected gallstones and advised her to attend the Emergency Department for assessment and further investigations. This was during the COVID-19 restrictions, when family members were not permitted to accompany loved ones to the hospital.

Sarah attended the Emergency Department that morning. We remained in regular contact throughout the day, and she told me, in her own words, “They don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

I became increasingly concerned when I spoke with her later that evening because she did not sound like herself.

I contacted the hospital and explained my concerns to a staff member. I asked about Sarah’s treatment plan and was informed that she had pancreatitis, was doing well, and was receiving stronger pain relief. I was reassured that there was no cause for concern and felt relieved to hear this. I trusted that Sarah was receiving safe and appropriate care in the hospital where I myself worked.

Later that night, at approximately 3:30 a.m., I received a call informing me that Sarah had been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit but was stable. As a nurse, I understood the seriousness of both pancreatitis and an ICU admission, and I asked whether I should come to the hospital. Once again, I was reassured that there was no need to attend until morning and that Sarah remained stable.

When I arrived at the ICU the following morning, I was shocked to learn that Sarah had been diagnosed with sepsis and was experiencing multiple organ failure.

I never thought to ask, “Could it be sepsis?”

As Sarah’s condition deteriorated, she required urgent transfer to a higher-level care facility. By then, 28 hours had passed since her admission.

Sarah spent the next eleven weeks intubated in intensive care, fighting the greatest battle of her life. She received exceptional care, and the staff went above and beyond to keep her babies at the centre of her recovery. It was clear that Sarah was fighting to stay alive for Lilly and PJ and to continue being the mother she had always dreamed of becoming.

Tragically, Sarah died eleven weeks after her hospital admission, at just 34 years of age. She left behind my brother Patrick, now a widower, and Lilly and PJ, who would grow up without their mother.

Only eight months earlier, they had moved into what they hoped would be their forever home.

Sarah had presented with many of the signs and symptoms of sepsis from the moment she arrived at the hospital. Yet sepsis was not recognised or diagnosed despite assessments by emergency, surgical, and nursing teams.

Never in a million years did we imagine that, when Sarah was transferred to Beaumont Hospital, it would be the last time we would ever hear her speak.

Today, all we have are photographs and videos for her children to remember her by.

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The story above was written by Sinéad O’Reilly and is shared with her explicit consent. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Sepsis Alliance. This story is not intended to provide, nor should it be interpreted as providing, medical advice.

Istanbul, Türkiye / Belgrade, Serbia – 2026

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance and Board Member of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, delivered a strong call to action to legislators from around the world during two major parliamentary gatherings this year: the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul and the IPU Global Women Parliamentarians Forum in Belgrade.

Representing UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, Dr. Jashi addressed delegates from more than 150 countries, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger political leadership to address global health challenges, protect sustainable health financing, advance women-centered policies, and elevate Sepsis on the global political agenda.

As Chair of the UNITE Delegation to both events, Dr. Jashi highlighted the critical role parliamentarians play in shaping laws, budgets, and policies that directly impact the health and wellbeing of populations worldwide.

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Protecting Global Health Through Sustainable Financing

During the General Debate at the IPU Assembly in Istanbul, Dr. Jashi stressed that recent geopolitical tensions, growing fragmentation, and declining multilateral cooperation threaten decades of progress in global health.

“The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that health challenges know no borders,” she told delegates. “Yet we are witnessing diminishing investments in global health at a time when international cooperation is more important than ever.”

She urged parliamentarians to prioritize health in national budgets and called on lawmakers in high-income countries to advocate for increased Official Development Assistance (ODA) for health, noting that global health financing has fallen to historically low levels despite rising needs.

Dr. Jashi emphasized that sustainable financing is essential not only for strengthening healthcare systems but also for improving preparedness against future health emergencies and pandemics.

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Advancing a Women-Centered Agenda in Politics and Health

A central theme of Dr. Jashi’s interventions at both forums was the need to place women at the center of political and health decision-making.

Addressing the Global Women Parliamentarians Forum in Belgrade, she presented compelling evidence demonstrating the positive impact of women’s political participation on democratic governance, social development, and economic growth.

“More women in parliament means stronger democracies and more sustainable development,” she stated. “Yet women continue to hold only 27 percent of parliamentary seats globally.”

Dr. Jashi also highlighted persistent inequalities affecting women’s access to healthcare and opportunities:

• Sixty-six percent of the world’s poorest women continue to face financial barriers to accessing healthcare.

• One in five women with no formal education still requires permission to seek medical care.

• More than 700 million women worldwide have experienced violence during their lifetime.

• Declining global health investments risk further widening existing inequalities.

She called on legislators to use their political influence to dismantle these barriers and ensure that women’s health and wellbeing become a priority in national and international policymaking.

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Bringing Sepsis to the Political Agenda

A key focus of Dr. Jashi’s addresses was the urgent need to recognize Sepsis as a major global health challenge.

Despite causing one in every five deaths worldwide, Sepsis remains largely absent from political discussions and public policy debates.

Dr. Jashi noted that every year, approximately 26 million women are affected by Sepsis, while globally the condition claims the lives of 11 million people annually, including women, men, and children.

“Sepsis is a global health emergency that continues to be overlooked,” she said. “We must bring this issue into our political forums and adopt policies that improve prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.”

She highlighted examples of countries that have successfully advanced Sepsis policies and awareness, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Qatar, encouraging parliamentarians to learn from these experiences and adapt best practices within their own healthcare systems.

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Learning from Global Success Stories

Dr. Jashi underscored the importance of international collaboration and knowledge sharing among legislators.

She pointed to successful health reforms in countries such as Egypt, particularly in scaling up Universal Health Coverage and advancing Hepatitis C elimination efforts. She also recognized the contributions of Professor Ashraf Hatem, former Minister of Health of Egypt, for his leadership in driving these transformative changes.

Through UNITE, parliamentarians can exchange experiences and gain access to evidence-based policy solutions on issues ranging from infectious diseases and Sepsis to health financing, pandemic preparedness, and emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence regulation in healthcare.

Dr. Jashi also highlighted UNITE’s ongoing support for the ratification and implementation of the Pandemic Agreement and other initiatives designed to strengthen global health security.

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A Call for Political Courage

Throughout both engagements, Dr. Jashi emphasized that parliamentarians have a unique responsibility to improve public health through legislation, oversight, and budgetary decisions.

“We may not be doctors or public health experts,” she noted, “but as parliamentarians, we hold a unique power. We can save lives in times of peace – and especially in times of crisis – by adopting the right laws and budgets.”

She concluded by calling for greater political courage to invest in women’s health, strengthen healthcare systems, and ensure that global health remains a priority despite economic and geopolitical challenges.

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Invitation to Join the Global Movement for Better Health

Dr. Jashi invited parliamentarians interested in advancing evidence-based health policies to join the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, which currently brings together more than 550 legislators from 120 countries.

She also encouraged lawmakers from health and non-health committees alike to participate in the upcoming UNITE Global Summit, taking place in Manila, Philippines, on August 3–4, 2026, where parliamentarians will collaborate on solutions to some of the world's most pressing health challenges.

As global health systems face mounting pressures, Dr. Jashi’s message was clear: stronger political leadership, greater investment, and a firm commitment to women-centered health policies are essential to building healthier, more resilient societies for future generations.