The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea has called for urgent and coordinated action to address the country's critical shortage of physician anaesthesiologists, describing anaesthesia as the backbone of modern medicine and safe surgery.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 30th Anniversary of the Ghana Society of Anaesthesiologists (GAS) in Accra, Dr. Akoriyea congratulated the Society on three decades of dedicated service and paid tribute to generations of anaesthesiologists whose sacrifices have advanced healthcare in Ghana.
He gave special recognition to Dr. Wulf, Dr. Sarpong, and the multidisciplinary anaesthesia team that worked for nearly two years on the successful separation of Ghana's craniopagus conjoined twins, describing the achievement as evidence that Ghanaian doctors can deliver world-class care when provided with the necessary tools and support.
Reflecting on the country's healthcare journey, the Director-General honoured pioneering health professionals who served in remote communities under difficult conditions, often without electricity, telecommunications, or adequate infrastructure. He noted that although Ghana has made significant progress in healthcare over the past three decades, life expectancy remains below the global average, highlighting the need for continued investment in quality healthcare.
Dr. Akoriyea stressed that modern medicine would not be possible without anaesthesia and expressed concern over the country's limited specialist workforce. He revealed that Ghana has approximately 200 physician anaesthesiologists.
While commending the contribution of more than 636 Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists, he emphasised the need for equitable training, deployment, supervision, and subspecialisation to improve surgical outcomes, maternal health, and overall quality of care.
To address these challenges, the Director-General proposed four immediate actions to increase the number of Anaesthesiologist within the Ghana Health Service: the development and implementation of a national strategic plan for anaesthesia; expanded use of telemedicine and consultant outreach to strengthen supervision nationwide; prioritised specialist training with immediate study leave with pay for Ghana Health Service doctors who choose anaesthesiology; and closer collaboration with Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists to strengthen professional practice and service delivery.
Calling for unity across the health sector, Dr. Akoriyea reminded participants that every Ghanaian is a potential patient including we the healthworkers and that every child or mother safely brought through surgery represents an investment in Ghana's future. Quoting Professor Gladys Amponsah and English writer John Ruskin, he urged anaesthesia professionals to build a lasting legacy by answering the call of their generation and avoiding "the pain of regret."
He concluded by challenging members of the Ghana Society of Anaesthesiologists to lead the transformation of the specialty over the next thirty years so that future generations would remember this era as the period that fundamentally changed anaesthesia care in Ghana. He took the opportunity to present a citation on behalf of the Service to the Society for their dedicated service to the country and more, especially for their support during the separation of the craniopagus conjoined twins.