Welcome Address

Globally, one person dies of sepsis roughly every three seconds – amounting to around 11 million people per year. Up to three-quarters of its survivors suffer from long-term effects. Particularly affected are people from lower-income countries. This situation must prompt us into action. Above all, the majority of deaths due to sepsis is preventable. Prevention and early detection can save lives. The 4th World Sepsis Congress, whose patronage I have gladly taken on, conveys this important message.

Also in Germany, over 230,000 people develop sepsis every year and at least 85,000 of these do not survive. This makes sepsis the third-most frequent cause of death in Germany. With our “Germany recognizes sepsis” campaign, we aim to increase awareness of the symptoms of sepsis. The question of “Might it be sepsis?” should always spring to mind – both among the general population and among medical staff. After all, this question can save lives.

On my initiative, during the past year, the fight against sepsis was also addressed by the G7 Health Ministers and included in a joint statement: We want to give the implementation of the WHO Resolution of 2017 a significant boost. Together, we must all get our national and global health policies to focus even more on the fight against sepsis.

Stop Sepsis, Save Lives – the motto of the Global Sepsis Alliance is a mandate for us all. Let us fight for this together! I would like to thank all those involved for their efforts to better prevent, identify and treat sepsis, and wish you all a successful and insightful congress!

Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach
Federal Minister
Member of the German Parliament