Doctors Raise Alarm Over Surgery Safety, Demand Better Government Support

(Doctor. Photo by STAT News)
Anaesthesiologists are calling on the Federal Government to strengthen anaesthesia services, buy essential equipment and better support the specialists who keep patients safe before, during and after surgery.

They made the call in a joint statement on Friday to mark World Anaesthesia Day 2026, observed on October 16.

This year's theme is "Before, During and Beyond Surgery."

The day marks the first public demonstration of anaesthesia in 1846, which made painless surgery possible.

Dr Julian Ojebo, head of anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine at Nisa Garki Hospital, said careful checks before surgery help spot risks and prevent problems.

He warned that weak pre-anaesthetic clinics and poor patient preparation raise the chances of complications.

Many preventable problems in Nigeria, he said, come from poor pre-surgery checks, weak referral systems and late hospital visits.

Dr Kolawole Shorunke, chief resident in anaesthesia at the hospital, said anaesthesiologists monitor the heart, blood pressure, oxygen and breathing throughout surgery.

He said this depends on working machines, monitors, oxygen, emergency drugs and reliable electricity, especially in public hospitals.

Dr Aisha Muazu, a senior registrar, said the job continues after surgery, including helping patients wake safely, controlling pain and treating complications.

She called for better post-anaesthesia care units and acute pain services.

The specialists asked for more funding, training and retention incentives for anaesthesiologists and nurse anaesthetists.

They also called for better access to medicines and consumables, and for anaesthesia and perioperative care to be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

"No patient should die or suffer disability because safe anaesthesia was not available or affordable," the statement said.