The Nigerian Society of Anesthetists (NSA) has pinpointed improved health systems, welfare of workers and security to enhance cancer patients’ outcomes in the country and reduce brain drain.
These are the resolutions arrived at on the occasion of the 2023 World Anesthesia Day themed: “Anaesthesia and Cancer Care” commemorated globally every Oct. 16.
Dr Busola Alagbe-Briggs, President of the NSA said the theme was to highlight the role of anaesthetists and draw more attention to cancer, which has been neglected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases.
Alagbe-Briggs added that cancer requires surgery, hence anaesthetists play a major role by ensuring that patients are fit for the procedure and also work with the surgeons and nurses to ensure its success.
“We all know about the Japa syndrome. There is a diminished workforce and for this condition, WHO is saying that cancer will increase from 19.8 million to about 30 million by 2040.
”We are here to campaign that there is a need for safe anaesthesia and that comes through training and there is a need for an improved workforce.
“We have to increase the number of people who are trained to deliver anaesthesia and we also have to ensure that there is enough funding to provide equipment to manage cancer.
“Some cancer cases need special gadgets to manage them even when we come to some of them that need them radiology that needs radiotherapy, they need funding.
“Some cancer cases need special drugs, which are expensive, so that is why we are here to say the world anaesthesia day is focusing on how anesthesia can improve cancer care.
“Some drugs also are not suitable for some patients who have cancer and are coming for anesthesia, so we are the ones responsible for managing them before, during and after together with the surgeons who are going to remove it.
