Delhi | India’s First Sepsis Registry Aims to Save Lives
Sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection, kills more people in India than cancer. Despite being one of the leading causes of death, many cases go undiagnosed, and treatment is often delayed.
To tackle this crisis, 19 major hospitals across India have come together to create a national sepsis registry. This will help collect data, improve diagnosis, and develop better treatments to reduce deaths.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis happens when the body’s immune system, instead of fighting an infection, overreacts and starts attacking its own organs and tissues. This can lead to organ failure and death if not treated quickly.
Sepsis can develop from any type of infection, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, dengue, or even an infected wound. If left untreated, it can quickly worsen into septic shock, where blood pressure drops dangerously low, leading to multiple organ failure.
The warning signs of sepsis include:
✔️ High fever or low body temperature
✔️ Rapid heartbeat and breathing
✔️ Confusion or disorientation
✔️ Severe weakness or extreme pain
✔️ Cold, clammy, or discolored skin
Sepsis is a medical emergency. The sooner it is treated, the higher the chances of survival.
Why Is Sepsis a Bigger Problem in India?
In India, more than half of ICU patients develop sepsis, often due to poor infection control, delayed diagnosis, and antibiotic resistance.
Public hospitals, where millions seek treatment, face overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and staff shortages, making infections more likely to spread. Many patients don’t get diagnosed in time, leading to organ failure and death.
“India has unique challenges in handling sepsis,” said Dr. Saswati Sinha, a critical care specialist from Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata. “We need local data to understand which treatments work best in our country.”
How Will the Sepsis Registry Help?
The registry, led by Dr. Kapil Zirpe, president of the Sepsis Forum Society of India, will track sepsis cases across the country. It will collect information such as:
- Which infections commonly lead to sepsis
- Which age groups and patients are most at risk
- How quickly sepsis is diagnosed and treated
- How many cases involve antibiotic-resistant bacteria
- The financial impact of sepsis on families
“This registry will help doctors improve treatments and hospitals control infections,” said Dr. Zirpe. “With proper data, we can take the right steps to reduce deaths.”
A Race Against Time
One of the biggest challenges in India is the misuse of antibiotics, which has made many infections harder to treat. A study found that over 70% of sepsis cases in Indian ICUs involve bacteria resistant to common medicines, making treatment more expensive and less effective.
What’s Next?
The sepsis registry is a big step forward in saving lives. If used properly, it can help doctors make faster and better treatment decisions.
Experts say early detection is key—people should recognize the signs of sepsis and seek immediate medical help. With the right action, India can bring down its sepsis death rate and improve patient survival.
