Udhyam Amin, a 64-year-old from Kingswood, Surrey, has made what medical staff describe as a remarkable recovery after developing sepsis in February following what he initially believed to be food poisoning from a pub meal. He spent more than two weeks in an induced coma at St Helier Hospital in south London and was told by doctors that he had only hours to live, yet has since returned to work and now advocates for sepsis awareness ahead of World Sepsis Day.
Amin attended accident and emergency after consuming a roast chicken dinner at a pub, presenting with symptoms he thought indicated food poisoning. Medical tests revealed he had been infected with campylobacter, the bacterium responsible for the majority of food poisoning cases across the United Kingdom. The infection typically causes nausea, diarrhoea and fever, with symptoms usually appearing within hours or days of consuming contaminated food.
In most cases, campylobacter infections resolve through rest and fluid replacement. However, in rare instances the condition can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening response where the body's immune system damages its own tissues and organs. Amin's condition deteriorated rapidly after arrival at hospital, and he was transferred to the resuscitation unit where his blood pH dropped to dangerous levels and he suffered cardiac arrest.
Medical teams informed Amin's family, including his daughter Parisha Bains, that he had developed sepsis with multi-organ failure, with most of his critical organs having ceased functioning. Doctors warned that he was unlikely to survive the night.
We were told he had gone into sepsis and multi-organ failure. Most of his critical organs had shut down. But he made it through the night and that wasn't expected. It felt like our world had fallen apart. Nothing prepares you for hearing that the person you love may not make it through the day.
Despite the grim prognosis, Amin survived the critical period and began a long recovery process. According to the hospital trust's account of his case, he had to relearn fundamental skills including how to walk and speak before eventually returning to his employment.
Bains described her father's survival as extraordinary, remarking that
it is nothing short of a miracle that the former subpostmaster turned businessman is still aliveand joking that
he's like a cat with nine lives.
What does Amin say about his treatment?
Amin has expressed profound appreciation for the care he received during his ordeal.
Words cannot express my gratitude for the exceptional care, compassion and dedication the medical teams showed me during the most difficult time of my life,he stated. His recovery comes as the medical community prepares to mark World Sepsis Day, an annual occasion dedicated to raising awareness of the condition.
How is the family supporting the hospital?
Moved by the quality of care their relative received, Amin's family established a fundraising campaign for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity, specifically to benefit the intensive care unit that treated him. According to the hospital trust, the campaign has raised more than £37,000, with the family's fundraiser page showing £30,130 from 181 individual supporters.
What is World Sepsis Day?
World Sepsis Day takes place annually on 13 September and was established in 2012 to elevate sepsis as a significant public health concern. The 2026 campaign, scheduled for 13 September 2026, carries the theme "Invest in Sepsis – Save Lives," with the Global Sepsis Alliance organising awareness activities and educational initiatives for hospitals and medical professionals worldwide. A global webinar was held on 9 September 2026 as part of the campaign to engage healthcare workers and the public in understanding the condition's impact.
Key Facts
- Campylobacter is the most frequently reported cause of bacterial food poisoning in the UK, though it rarely progresses to sepsis
- Amin spent over two weeks in an induced coma and was told he had only hours to live before making his unexpected recovery
- He underwent rehabilitation to relearn basic functions including walking and speaking before returning to work
- The family's fundraising effort has exceeded £37,000 to support the intensive care unit at St Helier Hospital
- World Sepsis Day 2026 emphasises investment in sepsis prevention and treatment as a global health priority
