The Caribbean is a unique region consisting of culturally rich and diverse populations, but it is also home to many vulnerable groups [1]. The region has overburdened healthcare systems with vulnerabilities and disparities between healthcare access and outcomes within and between countries [2]. Many countries in the region have aging populations and are facing the multiple mortality and morbidity burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, alongside emerging climate, and environmental-related health threats [3,4]. This demographic and epidemiologic profile increases the risks of persons developing infections that can lead to sepsis [5].

Sepsis is the body’s response to an infection resulting in injury to its own tissues and organs. If not managed promptly and appropriately with broad-spectrum antibiotics, sepsis may lead to shock and multiorgan failure; and become a mechanism of death, especially for children, older persons, and those with immunocompromised health states [6]. Paradoxically the extensive use of antibiotics needed to treat sepsis can trigger the development of resistance by pathogens to one or more antimicrobial agents, effectively decreasing treatment options [7].

AMR complicates sepsis management globally and has the potential to delay the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thereby slowing societal growth and threatening human existence [8]. Of the 13.66 million deaths globally in 2019, 4.95 million were associated with AMR and 1.27 million were directly attributable to AMR [9]. Sepsis and AMR rates are increasing because of the interaction of several factors including poor socioeconomic conditions, increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, climate change, overcrowding, decreasing vaccination rates, and foreign travel [10,11]. However, within the Caribbean region (although affected by many of these factors), there is scant data on AMR Sepsis epidemiology, management, and outcome to inform evidence-based policy and healthcare decision-making.

This lack of evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship in treating infections can further exacerbate and fuel the development of resistance. This is an untenable scenario and necessitates an urgent need for improved surveillance systems, implementation of infection control practices, and prudent antibiotic use to combat sepsis and AMR.

Therefore, regional experts in healthcare across the Caribbean region, recognizing the urgent need to combat sepsis and its devastating impact on our communities, have formed the Caribbean Sepsis and Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance (CSA) to catalyze work on this issue in the region. The CSA calls for urgent action by the regional governments, policymakers, health services, researchers, funding agencies, and the community to prioritize, recognize, and support national and regional commitments to sepsis and AMR. This multi-sectoral collaborative work will increase awareness, enhance methods of prevention and diagnosis, and improve the early and appropriate treatment of sepsis.

We urge all stakeholders and the general public, to commit your organization and yourself to join the growing body of enlightened persons and organizations from the Caribbean who are committed to reducing the health, economic, and human burden of sepsis, and to dedicate human and financial resources towards these goals. The CSA encourages the Caribbean region to take bold steps to create and implement at the soonest, effective national and regional action plan to address the threats of sepsis and AMR in the region. This is an imperative and the time to accelerate action is now!