Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance – Activities for Sepsis Awareness Month

The Caribbean Sepsis and Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance was launched in May 2024 and our teams across the region embarked on unchartered territory in raising Sepsis education and awareness across the region. Recognizing the critical need to address sepsis—a life-threatening condition resulting from infection—the alliance is focused on educating healthcare professionals and the public about its prevention, recognition, and management.

The initiative began with a webinar entitled “Early Sepsis recognition saves lives” which was attended by 300 persons across the region. This activity emphasizes the importance of prompt treatment, which can drastically improve patient outcomes.

In addition to healthcare professionals, the alliance is also targeting community awareness. Public campaigns aim to inform the general populace about the risks of sepsis, highlighting symptoms such as fever, increased heart rate, and confusion. By fostering a better understanding of sepsis, the alliance hopes to encourage timely medical attention and reduce the incidence of severe cases. Public outreach activities were conducted across Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, reaching many persons who were unaware of the condition.

The alliance is addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing responsible antibiotic use to prevent complications from infections. By combining these efforts, the Caribbean Sepsis and AMR Alliance is paving the way for improved health outcomes, ultimately saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems across the region.


Trinidad and Tobago

1. Webinar:  Early sepsis recognition saves lives

  • Date: September 13th, 2024 – World Sepsis Day

  • Presenter 1: Dr Kanda Krishnamurthy (Barbados)

    • Topic: Recognition of sepsis in pediatric patients

  • Presenter 2: Dr Aldyth Buckland (Jamaica)

    • Topic: Sepsis in the community setting: A case study

  • Presenter 3: Dr Marquita Gittens St Hilaire (Barbados)

    • Topic: Diagnosing Sepsis: The Role of the Microbiology Laboratory

This event was awarded Continuing Medical Education credits through the Caribbean College of Family Physicians.

2. Public Awareness Outreach activity:

  • REPUBLIC BANK’S SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXPO, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad.

  • Date: 13th and 14th September 2024

  • Members of the CSA along with the Youth Arm were present at the Sustainability Expo over the 2 days and gathered support for the Mt. Hope Declaration as well as educating the public on the signs, symptoms, and dangers of sepsis. QR codes were generated to align with the sustainability theme and the booth was visited by more than 300 persons.

3. Public Outreach activity: 

  • Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, Trinidad.

  • Date: 20th September 2024

  • This exercise was conducted by members of the CSA and the Youth Arm who distributed flyers to members of the public and at the University Campus.

4. Public Education Campaign via Social Media:

The "13 Days of Sepsis Awareness" campaign is a social media initiative for Sepsis Awareness Month, running throughout September. It consists of 13 posts, each featuring a unique digital graphic with important education on sepsis. The campaign was timed to build momentum leading up to World Sepsis Day on September 13th and continued until the end of September. During this time, we were able to reach almost 1,000 Instagram users.


Jamaica

Sepsis Education and Outreach Church Service and Health Information Session

  • This was an information Session on Sepsis and focussed on the importance of Hand Hygiene and distribution of sepsis bookmarks

  • September 7, 2024

Smile Jamaica Morning TV Show

  • A live interview for Sepsis Awareness Health on a Major National Television Station TVJ

  • September 11, 2024

• Radio Interviews: Increasing Public Awareness

  • NCU FM Radio Interview World Sepsis Day Awareness Segment

    • September 13, 2024, at 7:45 AM

  • Jamaica Information Service- Radio Interview

    • September 16, 2024

  • Power 106 Radio Interview Sepsis Information Segment

    • September 13, 2024, at 7:45 AM

National Library and Libraries in The University

  • Sepsis Information Exhibit on Display

  • September 13, 2024

Sepsis Education in Primary Schools: Sepsis Information Sessions for Children

  • New Providence Primary – September 11, 2024

  • Mona Prep – September 12, 2024

  • Gordon Town Primary – September 18, 2024

  • Kingsway – September 19, 2024

Annual Symposium September 29, 2024

  • Sepsis Webinar Series CARCAN Microbiology and Infectious Disease Rounds

  • September 30 - October 1, 2024

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Media Release: 2024 World Sepsis Day Under the Patronage of WHO Director-General and Federal Minister of Health of Germany