By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Oct. 18, GNA – Mr Nuhu Hafis, a Senior Certified Registered Anaesthetist at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa, has expressed concern that Certified Registered Anaesthetists (CRAs) are not recognised despite their critical role in the healthcare delivery system.
He therefore called on stakeholders to pause and reflect on the “often overlooked truth,” adding that “In the most critical moments of healthcare, CRAs are the silent guardians of life”.
He noted that even though CRAs were rarely seen by the public, it was their presence that made “the difference between life and death, suffering and comfort, hope and despair”.
Mr Hafis, who is a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Anaesthesia and Critical Care student at the Clement Kubindiwo Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo, said this in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, to mark this year’s World Anaesthesia Day.
The World Anaesthesia Day is observed annually on October 16 to commemorate the first successful use of Diethyl ether anaesthesia in surgery in 1846, and the day was also used to celebrate advances in anaesthesiology over the years and recognise the essential role of the field in patient comfort, safety, and improved surgical outcomes.
This year’s celebration was on the theme: “Workforce Well-Being”.
Mr Hafis said “CRAs are not merely sleep technicians, they are protectors of life, bearing the weight of patient safety on their shoulders”.
He said anaesthesia was the invisible force that powered modern healthcare, and without it, surgeries would be impossible.
He said “CRAs are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing critical care in environments that often test their resilience to the limit.
“From rural clinics to the busiest city hospitals, they ensure that every patient entrusted to their care is met with compassion and expertise. Globally, anaesthetists are acknowledged as the cornerstone of medical safety,” he said.
He said CRAs worked under immense pressure, and made decisions in seconds that impacted lives forever, “In many parts of the world, these professionals are well-compensated, recognised and provided with clear career pathways. They are supported with the latest technology and given the professional respect that their role demands.
In Ghana, CRAs faced a different reality and despite being entrusted with the same life-saving responsibilities, they often operated in conditions that did not reflect the gravity of their work, Mr Hafis said.
He said the disparity in compensation, the lack of structured career progression, and the resource limitations in most healthcare facilities were not just challenges, but barriers that threatened the future of anaesthesia care in our nation.
He said the numerous challenges CRAs faced in Ghana often hindered them from delivering world-class care and maintain high standards of patient safety.
Mr Hafis said the time for change was now and called on the Ministry of Health to take immediate action to address the working conditions of CRAs, review their compensation to reflect the critical nature of their duties and ensure that they had the tools and support they needed to thrive.
“The impact of our work may be hidden from the public eye, but it is deeply felt by every patient who emerges from surgery safe, every family whose loved one is restored, and every doctor who relies on our steady hands in the most critical moments.”
He said the World Anaesthesia Day must be a call to action and increased advocacy for professionals, patients, and for the future of anaesthesia in Ghana and beyond.
GNA