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Poor communication among health workers and a shortage of skilled personnel are among the major challenges affecting the timely referral of patients with sepsis from primary health facilities to tertiary hospitals in Blantyre, a new study has revealed. These gaps are leading to delays in life-saving care for patients suffering from sepsis. The study, conducted by Sylvester Kaimba from the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) and Erick Umar from the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), was published on October 30 this year. It examined both health worker and patient experiences in managing sepsis referrals across six health centres in Blantyre District. Researchers found that most patients move through two main referral pathways — from the community to a health facility, and from one facility to another — often using ambulances or personal transport. However, several systemic issues, including poor coordination between facilities, a lack of trained staff, limited transport availability, poor road networks, and delayed care-seeking by patients, were identified as key factors contributing to late referrals. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection triggers a severe immune response in the body, potentially leading to organ failure if not treated promptly. In Malawi, sepsis accounts for an in-hospital mortality rate of between 17 and 50 percent. By Alufisha Fischer
