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This World Anaesthesia Day, Memfys Hospital’s Anaesthesia Unit highlights the many roles of anaesthesiologists before, during and beyond surgery, and calls for greater investment in safe anaesthesia.

Every year on 16 October, the world marks World Anaesthesia Day. The date commemorates the first public demonstration of ether anaesthesia in 1846, a moment that made modern surgery possible.

This year’s theme is “Before, During and Beyond Surgery”. It reminds us that the anaesthesiologist is not only the doctor who puts patients to sleep. The anaesthesiologist is a perioperative physician who is with the patient at every stage of the care pathway.

Before surgery: assessing, optimising, preparing

Safe anaesthesia begins long before the operating theatre. The anaesthesiologist:

• Reviews the patient’s medical history, medications and previous anaesthetic experiences
• Assesses risk and, where possible, optimises conditions such as blood pressure, blood sugar and anaemia before surgery
• Plans the anaesthetic and the airway strategy
• Explains the plan to the patient and family, answers their questions and obtains informed consent

During surgery: protecting the patient, minute by minute

Once surgery begins, the anaesthesiologist is the patient’s constant guardian. This includes keeping the patient unconscious and pain-free, monitoring breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels, managing fluids and blood, and responding immediately to any emergency.

Airway management shows this vigilance best. Dr. Ufoegbunam Maduabuchi Paul, Head of the Anaesthesia Unit at Memfys Hospital, describes how a planned surgical airway is created for a patient who is already intubated but needs longer-term breathing support:

1. Preparation comes first. The patient lies flat with a pillow under the shoulders to extend the neck. The skin is cleaned and left to dry, and a sterile fenestrated drape is placed over the site. Before the first incision, the nursing team has all equipment ready.

2. Landmarks guide every step. The team identifies the cricothyroid membrane, then the first or second tracheal ring and the midline. Local anaesthetic is given, and the landmarks are checked again once it has taken effect.

3. Precision, not force. A small incision of about 1 to 1.5 cm is made and the tissue is gently opened to limit bleeding. A cannula enters the airway, its position is confirmed by drawing back air, and a guidewire is passed through it.

4. Gradual dilation. Dilators of increasing size are passed over the guidewire, each one well lubricated. The opening widens a little at a time until the airway tube can be placed.

5. Securing the airway. The cuff is inflated, the guide is removed, and the breathing circuit is connected to the new airway.

None of this is improvised. It relies on training, a ready team and the right equipment.

Beyond surgery: recovery, relief and critical care

The anaesthesiologist’s work does not end when the last stitch is placed. Beyond surgery, anaesthesiologists:

• Oversee safe waking up and recovery
• Manage post-operative pain, which supports earlier movement and faster healing
• Provide intensive care and high-dependency care for critically ill patients
• Lead resuscitation and support emergency care
• Treat chronic pain and contribute to palliative care

In neurosurgery, these roles matter even more. Neuroanaesthesia requires careful control of brain pressure, blood flow and oxygen delivery, from the first assessment through to recovery.

Why we are advocating

Safe anaesthesia across the whole pathway depends on:

• Trained anaesthesia providers: Every patient deserves a qualified anaesthesiologist at every stage, not only in theatre.
• Reliable equipment: Airway devices, monitors, suction and recovery facilities must be available and working.
• Teamwork and communication: Surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses and recovery staff must work as one team.
• Continuing training: Skills need regular practice, supervision and simulation.

Memfys Hospital has trained postgraduate doctors across several specialties, including neuroanaesthesia. We believe that building skilled anaesthesiologists is one of the most direct ways to make surgery safer.

Our call to action

This World Anaesthesia Day, Memfys Hospital calls on hospital managers, policymakers and partners to:

• Invest in anaesthesia training and retention
• Equip every operating theatre and recovery area with essential airway and monitoring tools
• Recognise anaesthesiologists as perioperative physicians in the full care pathway

Safe anaesthesia is a right, not a privilege. Before, during and beyond surgery, the anaesthesiologist is there.