The African Critical Illness Study (ACIOS)

A new study published in The Lancet on the 28th of February has provided the first comprehensive, continent-wide analysis of critical illness in African hospitals. The African Critical Illness Outcomes Study (ACIOS) highlights significant gaps in the availability of essential emergency and critical care (EECC), despite evidence that these interventions are both feasible and cost-effective.

Key findings from the study include:

• 1 in 8 inpatients in African hospitals are critically ill.

• 69% of critically ill patients are treated in general wards rather than specialized critical care units.

• 56% do not receive basic, life-saving interventions such as oxygen and intravenous fluids.

• 21% die within seven days, compared to 2.7% of non-critically ill patients.

Previous research has demonstrated that EECC—such as timely oxygen therapy and fluid resuscitation—can significantly improve survival rates and can be implemented at a low cost. Expanding access to these basic interventions could help reduce preventable deaths across the continent. Read the full study here.