Today October 16, 2024, the Ethiopian Association of Anesthetists (EAA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, marked the 178th World Anesthesia Day with a series of events aimed at exploring ways to ensure favorable working conditions for anesthetists and healthcare professionals across the country. This year’s celebration, under the theme “Health Workforce Wellbeing,” brought together stakeholders, experts, and leaders in healthcare to address critical issues surrounding the safety, quality, and sustainability of anesthesia services in Ethiopia.
In his keynote address, the Vice President of the Ethiopian Association of Anesthetists highlighted the historical evolution of Aneshesia as a profession, both in Ethiopia and globally. He underscored the broader significance of the field in enhancing healthcare delivery, particularly in surgical and emergency care. Calling for concerted efforts to ensure safety and quality in anesthesia practices, he emphasized the need for strong institutional and policy support to benefit both professionals and patients.
Dr. Elubabor Buno, Lead Executive Officer of Medical Services at the Ministry, also addressed the attendees, outlining various initiatives underway to support health professionals. He emphasized the importance of associations like the EAA in promoting a safe working atmosphere and highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to provide incentives for healthcare professionals, including access to social health insurance services. These efforts, he said, are critical for fostering a conducive environment that enables anesthetists to thrive while ensuring high-quality care for patients.
In his keynote speech, State Minister of Health, Dr. Ayele Teshome, recognized the vital contributions of Anesthetists to the healthcare system. He stressed the diverse roles that Anesthesia professionals play, not only in surgical settings but also in emergency care and a wide range of medical services. Dr. Ayele emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing shortage of trained anesthetists in Ethiopia, calling for efforts to strengthen the capacity of professionals through both short-term and long-term training programs.
He further highlighted the Ministry’s initiatives aimed at reducing the burden on Anesthetists, including digitizing referral processes and decentralizing services to ensure more equitable distribution of workload. In line with these efforts, the Ministry is committed to supporting the EAA in increasing the number of trained anesthesia specialists and improving their retention in the healthcare system.
Mr. Amare Hailekiros, Excutive Director of the Ethiopian Association of Anesthetists, in his message to the Media, reiterated the importance of prioritizing the wellbeing of Anesthesia professionals. He called for continuous collaboration between healthcare institutions, the Ministry, and professional associations to safeguard the health and safety of Anesthetists, ensuring that they can continue to provide life-saving care to patients in Ethiopia.
As the EAA and the Ministry of Health work together to advance the anesthesia profession, the celebration of the 178th World Anesthesia Day served as a reminder of the critical role that anesthetists play in the medical field. It also emphasized the need for sustained efforts to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments for health professionals across the country.
The Ethiopian Association of Anesthetists remains dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the anesthesia profession and ensuring that healthcare systems are equipped with the necessary resources to support both patients and providers.
As Ethiopia continues to tackle the challenges facing the healthcare sector, particularly the shortage of anesthesia professionals, the collaboration between the EAA and the Ministry of Health is set to grow stronger. Plans to build professional capacity through training, improve working conditions, and introduce initiatives such as social health insurance reflect a broader commitment to enhancing the quality of care and safeguarding the wellbeing of health workers.
The EAA is proud to play a key role in this important journey and will continue to advocate for the interests of anesthetists and patients alike, ensuring that the future of anesthesia in Ethiopia remains bright and secure.
