The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has urged immediate and coordinated measures to address Ghana’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 celebration of the Ghana Society of Anaesthesiologists (GAS) in Accra, Dr. Akoriyea commended the Society for three decades of dedicated service and paid tribute to generations of professionals who have advanced healthcare in Ghana. He gave special recognition to Dr. Wulf, Dr. Sarpong, and the multidisciplinary team behind the successful separation of Ghana’s craniopagus conjoined twins, calling the achievement proof that Ghanaian doctors can deliver world-class care when adequately supported.
Reflecting on Ghana’s healthcare journey, he honoured pioneering professionals who served in remote communities under difficult conditions, noting that despite progress, life expectancy remains below the global average. He stressed that modern medicine would not be possible without anaesthesia and expressed concern that Ghana currently has only about 200 physician anaesthesiologists.
While acknowledging the contributions of more than 636 Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists, Dr. Akoriyea emphasised the need for equitable training, deployment, supervision, and subspecialisation to improve surgical outcomes and maternal health.
To address these challenges, he proposed four urgent actions:
- National strategic plan for anaesthesia services.
- Telemedicine and consultant outreach to strengthen nationwide supervision.
- Prioritised specialist training, including immediate study leave with pay for doctors choosing anaesthesiology.
- Collaboration with nurse anaesthetists to enhance professional practice and service delivery.
Dr. Akoriyea reminded participants that “every Ghanaian is a potential patient, including we the health workers,” and that each safe surgery represents an investment in the nation’s future. Quoting Professor Gladys Amponsah and English writer John Ruskin, he urged anaesthesia professionals to answer the call of their generation and avoid “the pain of regret.”
He concluded by challenging GAS members to lead the transformation of the specialty over the next thirty years, presenting a citation on behalf of the Service to the Society in recognition of its dedicated service, particularly during the landmark separation of the conjoined twins.
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