College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists holds maiden walk to create awareness

A two-hour walk beginning at Independence Square at 7.30 a.m. and wending its way around the area concluding at the same location has been organised by the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka on World Anaesthesia Day which falls today (October 16).

The walk, being held for the first time in the history of the college, hopes to draw the attention of the public to the role of the anaesthetist and the provision of safe anaesthesia, a factor which is of global concern to all anaesthesiologists.

The working agenda of the college council, headed by President Dr. Kanishka Indraratna is ‘Improving Outcome and Safety’ in Anaesthesia. The college will also host the 12th SAARC Associations of Anaesthesiologists Meeting with the same theme next February.

World Anaesthesia Day commemorates the first successful administration of an anaesthetic 170 years ago. This ranks as one of the most significant events in the history of medicine. The advent of anaesthesia made it possible for surgery to be performed. This enabled a vast number of diseases to be cured. The rapid development and advancement of anaesthesia made it possible for surgery as a specialty to expand and develop rapidly into many areas.

The College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka lays down standards and conducts training and educational programmes in the country. The college whose membership consists of Consultant Anaesthesiologists also advises the government on the required drugs and equipment and carries out technical evaluations at the request of the government.

The college has two faculties -- the Faculty of Critical Care and the Faculty of Pain. Consultant Anaesthesiologists bear the responsibility of providing anaesthesia, managing Intensive Care Units, providing pain relief including for labour, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and resuscitation in trauma.