By Franca Ofili
The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists plans to collaborate with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to educate Nigerians on responding effectively to health emergencies through awareness, training, and public sensitisation campaigns.
Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, President of the society, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to NAN’s Managing Director, where the importance of anaesthesiology in healthcare delivery was highlighted.
He said World Anaesthesia Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 16 with the theme “Anaesthesiology in Health Emergencies,” underscoring the discipline’s critical role during crises and promoting global awareness of anaesthesia practice.
“Each year, a theme guides our global celebration to highlight a significant healthcare aspect,” he said, noting how those themes reflected current challenges and priorities in anaesthesia and broader healthcare systems.
According to him, the theme underscores the vital contributions of anaesthesiologists in emergency and critical care, showcasing their indispensable role during health crises, including trauma and disaster response situations worldwide.
He said the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) would host various webinars and events, focusing on strengthening training, preparedness, and the global capacity for emergency anaesthesia care during critical situations.
Mohammed added that the society promoted excellence among anaesthetists across Nigeria, enhancing communication and collaboration through ongoing education, research, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at advancing clinical practice and patient safety.
“We must take action to emphasise anaesthesiology’s role in managing emergencies within the healthcare space,” he said, stressing the need for broader recognition of the specialty’s impact on health outcomes.
He revealed the society’s project, “Basic Life Support in the Community”, aimed to empower ordinary citizens with skills to respond promptly to emergencies and stabilise patients before reaching healthcare professionals.
“We know the realities in Nigeria today.
“Each day brings trauma patients from conflict zones and accidents, making prompt emergency response essential to save lives and reduce long-term complications,” he said.
According to him, health emergencies may arise from trauma, accidents, conflict, or disasters.
“Anaesthetists are often frontline responders during such events, providing pain relief, airway management, and life-saving interventions in critical settings.”
In response, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director of NAN, said the agency had existed for nearly 50 years with an extensive national and international presence to support timely and accurate information dissemination.
“The agency has offices in all 36 states and 109 senatorial districts.
“Many media outlets rely on NAN for accurate, contextual reporting because of our workforce and national spread,” Ali said.
He added that NAN also operated in selected African countries and international cities, including New York and Johannesburg, extending its reach and influence across the global media landscape.
“The agency has partnerships with major international networks including Xinhua, BRICS Media, Reuters, and China’s state news agency, enabling robust information exchange and global media collaboration across various platforms and regions.”
Ali said the agency was also piloting local language reporting across Nigeria.
“This initiative aims to improve inclusivity and ensure critical news reaches citizens in their native tongues for better understanding.
“The agency is actively working to promote local language use in journalism, enhancing community engagement and breaking communication barriers that may hinder access to important health and social information.
“The NAN-UN collaboration reflects growing recognition of language diversity in media, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and ensuring every voice in society is heard and represented accurately in reporting,” Ali said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru