Hours after birth, Baby Yusta developed subtle signs of respiratory distress. A nurse trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care recognised the danger, started oxygen and warming, and called for review. Early action stabilised her condition, allowing her to recover and go home safely.

After nearly drowning, 18-month-old Dailan arrived critically ill at a district hospital in Tanzania. Staff trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care acted quickly, clearing his airway, giving oxygen and fluids, and monitoring him closely. Within days, he recovered and returned home.

New research highlights how anaesthesiologists can lead improvements in care for critically ill patients through Essential Emergency and Critical Care. By strengthening readiness, teamwork, and basic life-saving interventions, EECC helps ensure patients receive timely care across entire health systems.

New research from the EECC community identifies the top ten priorities to guide essential emergency and critical care research over the next five years. The agenda focuses on understanding critical illness burden, strengthening implementation, and building evidence to improve survival worldwide.

The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists has declared Essential Emergency and Critical Care a patient right. This landmark endorsement strengthens global momentum for EECC and reinforces a simple goal: no critically ill patient should die for lack of basic life-saving care.

Martin Johansson, a Swedish medical student’s research in Addis Ababa assessed the availability of Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) resources across emergency departments. The study highlights gaps in critical care readiness and the potential for EECC to strengthen lifesaving care in rapidly growing urban health systems.

Ethiopia has established its first hospital-based EECC Coordination and Learning Hub at Yekatit Hospital in Addis Ababa, strengthening leadership, coordination, and frontline capacity to deliver essential, life-saving care for critically ill patients across all wards.

When newborn Rodricky turned blue and struggled to breathe, an EECC-trained nurse acted instantly with oxygen and rapid assessment. His oxygen levels rose within minutes, and after a week of specialised care, he went home healthy, proof that timely essential care saves newborn lives.

When 35-year-old Loshen arrived unconscious with dangerously low oxygen levels, an EECC-trained nurse acted quickly with oxygen, fluids, and close monitoring. He stabilised within hours, was diagnosed with malaria, and returned home the next day—alive thanks to timely essential care.

Leaders from across Ethiopia gathered in Addis Ababa for an EECC leadership workshop, reviewing national hospital assessment findings and agreeing practical steps to strengthen the care of critically ill patients through system-level action and quality improvement.

How did Tanzania integrate Essential Emergency and Critical Care into national policy? New research highlights the role of evidence, advocacy and system-wide collaboration in strengthening care for critically ill patients, offering practical lessons for countries worldwide.

Essential critical care is a missing pillar of global health. Research shows critical illness is common, deadly, and largely untreated in general wards. By making EECC a core part of universal health coverage, health systems can deliver life-saving care to far more patients.

EECC is transforming care for critically ill patients in Tanzania’s Katavi region. With better systems, simple equipment and stronger clinical practice, preventable deaths have fallen — including a historic drop in maternal mortality — as Tanzania expands this lifesaving approach nationwide.

EECC Hubs and country groups around the world are strengthening care for critically ill patients—from new training and assessments to growing national teams and government engagement. This international momentum is helping embed simple, life-saving care in hospitals everywhere.

When Fredrick suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating hazelnuts, EECC-trained staff acted fast with adrenaline, oxygen, and close monitoring. Within hours, he stabilised and returned safely to work—proof that rapid, essential care can turn crisis into recovery.

At Chikankata Mission Hospital in Zambia, staff are embedding EECC into daily care. After in-depth training, 12 ambassadors are leading change across wards — recognising critical illness early, using vital signs charts, and saving lives through simple, timely, life-saving actions.

Eight-month-old Gidion arrived at hospital limp and dehydrated, his tiny body battling sepsis. Thanks to nurses trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care, he received fluids, antibiotics, and close monitoring—simple, timely interventions that saved his life and gave his family hope.

At Vwawa District Hospital, every acute care staff member has now been trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC). Dr. Stanford Ngeta reports major changes: faster recognition of emergencies, wider use of oxygen devices, and all staff empowered to save lives.

Vital signs offer an early warning that a patient is critically ill. Simple, timely actions — oxygen, fluids, airway support — can prevent death. Evidence from Tanzania shows that responding to danger signs saves lives, proving the power of the basics.

Mauritania has launched its first EECC National Hub, led by Dr Bouya Lekhlifa. The team is forming partnerships, meeting the Minister of Health, and planning training and assessments to embed EECC’s simple, life-saving care across hospitals and refugee settings nationwide.