The first-ever Pan African Nurse Anesthetists Conference (PANAC 2024) in Nairobi highlighted the urgent need for governments to sponsor specialist training for nurses working with expectant mothers and infants. The conference underscored the high number of deaths experienced during surgical childbirth, primarily due to lack of access to essential surgical care, including life-saving caesarean sections.
Ms. Mary Mungai, patron of the Association of Registered Nurse Anesthetists-Kenya, emphasized the critical role of anaesthetists in improving surgical outcomes. She stated, “PANAC 2024 is a significant milestone for nurse anaesthetists in Africa as it provides an unprecedented opportunity to unify our efforts in improving anaesthesia care, ensuring safer surgical outcomes for millions. This conference is not just about professional development; it is about saving lives.”
A survey by the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA) revealed a severe shortage of anaesthetists in Kenya, with only 0.44 physician anaesthetists per 100,000 people. Including non-physician anaesthesia providers (NPAPs), the figure rises to just 1.7 per 100,000, which is still far below the recommended 4 per 100,000. This shortage significantly reduces the access to and safety of surgical services in many parts of Africa.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that over 80 percent of maternal deaths are due to poor quality of care. Maternal mortality following caesarean deliveries in Africa is 50 times higher than in high-income countries. Despite efforts to reduce this, Kenya’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) remains high at 362 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The conference emphasized that the lack of access to essential surgical care, particularly caesarean sections, is a primary contributor to the high MMR. Improving access to surgical and anaesthesia services can drastically reduce maternal deaths by addressing complications such as obstructed labour, haemorrhage, and infections.
The two-day event gathered healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss critical issues in anaesthesia care across the continent, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of these vital services.
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