Global critical care: a call to action

Ana Maria Crawford, Ananya Abate Shiferaw, Papytcho Ntambwe, Alexei Ortiz Milan, Karima Khalid, Rodrigo Rubio, Francoise Nizeyimana, Fredy Ariza, Alhassan Datti Mohammed, Tim Baker, Paulin Ruhato Banguti, Farai Madzimbamuto, Ana Maria Crawford, Ananya Abate Shiferaw, Papytcho Ntambwe, Alexei Ortiz Milan, Karima Khalid, Rodrigo Rubio, Francoise Nizeyimana, Fredy Ariza, Alhassan Datti Mohammed, Tim Baker, Paulin Ruhato Banguti, Farai Madzimbamuto

Abstract

Critical care is underprioritized. A global call to action is needed to increase equitable access to care and the quality of care provided to critically ill patients. Current challenges to effective critical care in resource-constrained settings are many. Estimates of the burden of critical illness are extrapolated from common etiologies, but the true burden remains ill-defined. Measuring the burden of critical illness is epidemiologically challenging but is thought to be increasing. Resources, infrastructure, and training are inadequate. Millions die unnecessarily due to critical illness. Solutions start with the implementation of first-step, patient care fundamentals known as Essential Emergency and Critical Care. Such essential care stands to decrease critical-illness mortality, augment pandemic preparedness, decrease postoperative mortality, and decrease the need for advanced level care. The entire healthcare workforce must be trained in these fundamentals. Additionally, physician and nurse specialists trained in critical care are needed and must be retained as leaders of critical care initiatives, researchers, and teachers. Context-specific research is mandatory to ensure care is appropriate for the patient populations served, not just duplicated from high-resourced settings. Governments must increase healthcare spending and invest in capacity to treat critically ill patients. Advocacy at all levels is needed to achieve universal health coverage for critically ill patients.

Keywords: Burden of illness; Critical care; Critical illness; Global health; ICU.

Conflict of interest statement

TB, AMC, and KK are founders, actively involved, or directors of working groups for the EECC Network.

© 2023. The Author(s).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Global critical care: a call to action
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
EECC is cross-cutting, improving access and quality of critical care at low cost and complexity. Adapted from Schell, C.O., Gerdin Wärnberg, M., Hvarfner, A. et al. The global need for essential emergency and critical care. Crit Care 22, 284 (2018)

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