Role of anesthesiologists in WHO safe surgery programs

Abstract

Anesthesiologists everywhere are involved in projects aimed at improving the quality and safety of anesthesia. The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) is an organization that links anesthesia societies from over 120 countries. It is affiliated to the World Health Organization (WHO). In this chapter, I describe some of the recent activities of anesthesiologists under the auspices of the WHO. The individuals concerned are involved in these projects in their own rights, and not as representatives of any organization. It is perhaps no accident that all are also involved with other organizations, notably their own national anesthesia socieities or colleges, and the WFSA. The projects carried out under the WHO have overlapped with or been supported by some of these other organizations, and I have tried to reflect this in the chapter. The quality and safety of healthcare falls short of acceptable standards not only in areas with restricted resurces, but also in the wealthiest parts of the world.1 There are huge differences between the deficiencies assocaited with (eg) psychiatry in Boston and those faced by obstetricians in Zambia—but there are also commonalities. Improving the standard of healthcare, affordably, is an imperative everywhere, and the WHO was established exactly for this purpose. Anesthesiologists have an enviable track record in promoting the safety of their patients, at least in well-resourced countries, but clearly they, like all other healthcare professionals, still have much work to do to. Adequate access to safe and effective anesthesia should be a universal human right; sadly, for many people of the world, access to any form of anesthesia is difficult, let alone access to safe anesthesia. It is up to practitioners from each field of healthcare to address the most pressing deficiencies in their own area. Anesthesiologists are no exception. However, the key to better global healthcare lies not in the hands of any one speciality, group of individuals, or organization (even as substantial and influential an organization as the WHO). Healthcare today is a collaborative enterprise, and it is principally through collaboration and networking (formally and informally)2 that substantial progress can be made. This chapter is about collaborative work that has included anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators, and politicians. The unifying motivation of these individuals has been, not the advancement of their own specialities, but rather a common interest in better patient care.