he city’s healthcare system is faced with a crisis, as there is a shortage of anesthetists in public as well as private hospitals. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of surgical procedures.

The role of anesthetists in medical care and surgeries is of vital importance. To quote Dr Muzzammil Hussain, a professor of anesthesia and critical care at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore: “We are responsible for administering anesthesia to the patients, closely monitoring their vital signs, managing pain and ensuring a safe and comfortable surgical experience.

“Our expertise in sedation, pain management, and critical care is key to maintaining the patient’s stability throughout the procedure,” he tells TNS. “Without skilled anesthetists, surgeries become significantly riskier and the outcomes can be compromised.”

He reveals that currently “20 to 30 percent of surgeries are getting delayed because of the shortage [of anesthetists].”

Lack of qualified staff can also cause delays that can be fatal. Hassan Ahmed, a journalist based in Lahore, speaks of how his father’s heart surgery was delayed by two weeks because no anesthetist was available at a government hospital. This caused the entire family a great deal of anxiety, besides causing stress for the patient and putting his life at risk. The situation, he adds, was no better at the private facilities.

When it comes to public hospitals, delays in surgeries can also increase the burden on the government. Dr Hussain says, “When the indoor patients are forced to stay in the hospital for days, it increases the government’s expenditure with regard to their stay, nursing care, medication and beds.”

He is of the view that around 40 percent of posts of anesthetists remain vacant due to a lack of proactive measures by the government: “The increase in workload and dependency on surgeons make the doctors less inclined to choose this specialised field of study. Besides, the income of anesthetists depends on the surgeons’ calls, which means that financial security is not guaranteed.”

“Very often, the patients only want to know about the surgeon who’s going to perform the operation; they don’t seem to have any knowledge of — nor do they try to find out — whether the person who will administer anesthesia is qualified to do so.”

The situation in private hospitals is even scarier. Some hospitals are rumoured to have hired unqualified medical officers as anesthetists. If true, this can lead to disastrous results.

“This clearly saves the hospitals a good deal of money,” says Dr Hussain, “but it’s a criminal practice.”

So, what is the solution to the crisis?

A private hospital owner in Iqbal Town says on condition of anonymity that a qualified anesthetist can’t ensure profits. “Almost invariably, the patients are only interested in knowing which famous surgeon is going to perform the operation; they don’t seem to have any knowledge of — nor do they try to find out — whether the person who will administer anesthesia is qualified to do so.”

Dr Hussain suggests a few measures to address the shortage of anesthetists. Firstly, he emphasises the need to raise awareness about the pivotal role anesthetists play in patients’ care. “Educating the public about the importance of anesthetists and their expertise will help attract more doctors to this field,” he says.

Furthermore, he advocates incentivising anesthetists in the form of competitive salaries and benefits. “By ensuring financial stability and career growth prospects, the healthcare system can encourage more doctors to pursue this critical field,” he adds.

As the shortage persists, patients continue to suffer, and hospitals struggle to provide adequate care, the need for immediate action is dire. The government and healthcare authorities must prioritise this part of healthcare system and take proactive measure to address the issue. Will the authorities rise to the occasion and recognise the urgency and importance of hiring qualified anesthetists? Only time will tell.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship