President of the Association of Anaesthesiologists of Malta (AAM) Dr Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta, and the committee have acknowledged the hard work done by anaesthetists during the Covid pandemic by marking World Anaesthesia Day.

World Anaesthesia Day is celebrated on the 16th October and this year it is commemorating the 176th anniversary of the first successful public demonstration of ether administration, which took place in Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Association in a statement, explained that the role of anaesthetists does not only involve anaesthetising patients during surgery, but also includes quality patient care throughout the peri-operative period, hospital transfers of unstable patients, acute pain management including administration of epidurals during labour, as well as chronic pain management and interventions.

Anaesthetists are also the lead physicians taking care of critically ill patients in intensive care and leading resuscitation.

The AAM pointed out that the Covid pandemic has put Anaesthetists and Intensivists in the spotlight in taking care of those worst affected by Covid so that now people are more aware of the critical role anaesthetists play in the hospital setting.

“Our skills and resources were stretched to the limit, with the setting up of multiple intensive care units to be able to cope with the overwhelming demands when the crisis was at its peak,” it said.

The Association highlighted the fact that “so many anaesthetists have donned PPE under extraordinary circumstances and put their expertise, compassion and skills to use to provide care to the sickest of Covid patients as well as ensuring that communication with the nearest of kin was always present despite severe physical limitations.”

The Association of Anaesthetists of Malta is a registered voluntary organization, and is the professional body representing anaesthetists in Malta.

“It plays a pivotal role in ensuring we can continue to provide excellent patient care by driving the highest standards of safety and quality through training, education, exams, quality improvement, research, and other activities,” the AAM said.

In order to increase awareness, the AAM is inviting the public to visit its stand in the Mater Dei Foyer on the 15th and 16th of October between 9.30 and 11.30am. The public can ask relevant questions and learn about the important role of anaesthetists.

Photo from left: Dr Stephanie Mifsud, Dr Nandor Kosik, Dr Petramay Attard Cortis, Dr Mario Zerafa (Deputy Chairperson, Department of Anaesthesia, Mater Dei Hospital), Dr Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta (AAM President), Dr Daniel Farrugia, Dr Martina Gerada

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