KARACHI, June 19: Experts at a symposium recommended appointment of qualified anaesthesiologists in all medical centres offering surgical intervention, besides extra efforts on the part of concerned anaesthetists to take into confidence the patients requiring anaesthesia.

The symposium on anaesthesia, arranged by the anaesthesia department of the Liaquat National Hospital here on Saturday, was addressed by Prof Tipu Sultan, Akhter Hameed Khan, Nighat Abbas, Sabahat Tariq, Farhat Begum, Mohammad Sirajuddin, Nadeem Naqvi and Ghulam Murtaza.

Nighat Abbas discussed recent advances in safe anaesthesia, adding it had become possible mainly due to the presence of qualified and better trained anaesthetists and with the availability of well-equipped theatres with all possible monitoring facilities.

The speaker mentioned that availability of required drugs, coupled with disposable items prerequisite to protect patients against any possible infections, has further made complicated surgeries largely safe.

Prof. Tipu Sultan said that advancement in the surgery in recent past had been possible due to advancement in anaesthesia, adding an anaesthetist on the one hand provides safe reversible anaesthesia to the patient and on the other, manages smooth and normal functioning of varied vital human organs.

He particularly mentioned that critical involvement of an anaesthetist in pain management and management of critically ill patients further enhances need to improve the competency of very professional who also must be "patient-friendly" in his or her approach.

Dr Sabahat Tariq expressed her views regarding importance and availability of methods for pain relief during "labour", which, she said, must be the right of every delivering mother.

Dr Mohammad Sirajuddin referred to the popularity of day-care anaesthesia mentioning that day-care surgery and anaesthesia are economical, safe and convenient for patients and their family.

Dr Nadeem Naqvi referred to the right of patients to seek details about professional competency and qualifications of the anaesthetist undertaking the responsibility to administer anaesthesia to the latter.

Dr Ghulam Murtaza highlighted the importance of pre-operative visits which according to him not only relieve anxiety of the patient but also help the anaesthetist to plan out the technique in accordance to the proposed procedure.

Dr Farhat Begum emphasised that all pregnant patients should be given clear in-depth knowledge about the merits and demerits of general and spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section, so that if time arrives to make the major decision, it may appear to be an easy decision for the patient.

Dr Akhter Waheed Khan highlighted the role and importance of anaesthetist, adding that there were certain cases which are routine and straightforward for the surgeons but extremely complicated and challenging for the audience.-APP