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Chandigarh: What initially appears to be a mild infection can develop into sepsis and septic shock and become fatal within hours. Under Punjab Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), 12,467 treatments of sepsis and septic shock have been recorded till September 01, on which an amount of ₹51.58 crore has been spent. This figure reflects both the medical and financial burden associated with this condition. Of these, ₹44.33 crore was spent on 10,961 treatments of severe sepsis, while ₹7.25 crore was spent on 1,506 treatments of septic shock.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is an extreme response of the body to infection, which can lead to rapid tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Almost any type of infection can trigger sepsis. Common sources include infections of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract. Sepsis is not just an infection. When the body's response to infection goes out of control, organ dysfunction can begin to occur. In severe cases, low blood pressure and insufficient blood flow can turn into septic shock.

Importance of timely identification

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh stressed the importance of timely detection, saying, “Sepsis can gradually become more serious. When it causes severe circulatory problems and insufficient blood flow to vital organs, the patient can reach a state of septic shock.”

Need for treatment of septic shock

Patients suffering from septic shock may require intensive medical care, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, medications to maintain blood pressure, oxygen or mechanical ventilation, and in some cases, supportive treatment for organ failure. The cost of such treatment can add up quickly, making financial security especially important for families.

Financial security of Chief Minister Health Scheme

Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless health cover of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year to eligible families, helping to reduce financial disruption during critical treatment. The sepsis figures under the scheme highlight how important such financial protection can be for families when treatment needs rapidly increase.

Risk of sepsis in newborns

This danger is especially serious in newborn babies. Dr. Shashi Kant Dheer, Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, said that even minor changes in the behavior of a newborn baby should not be ignored. “Even small changes in behavior in newborns can be an important warning sign,” he said. He said that the condition of premature and low birth weight babies can deteriorate rapidly within a few hours.

Lack of feeding/nutrition, unusually excessive sleepiness, body feeling cold and changes in breathing can be signs of serious illness in the newborn and in such cases immediate medical attention is necessary.

Correct use of antibiotics

Antibiotics are necessary when bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed, but their inappropriate use can promote antimicrobial resistance. Taking antibiotics without medical advice, using leftover antibiotics, or stopping treatment midway can make the infection difficult to treat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confusion, difficulty breathing, extreme pain or discomfort, fever or unusually low body temperature, clammy skin, and rapid heart rate are among the warning signs that require immediate medical attention.

Two important fronts to deal with sepsis

Therefore, tackling sepsis requires rapid action on two fronts—timely medical diagnosis and treatment and financial protection from excessive health expenses. The Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana data shows the scale of the financial burden of this situation, while the medical message is clear: if a patient suffering from the infection suddenly worsens, the price of delayed treatment can be not just in money, but more importantly—in a life.