World Anesthesia Day 2024 : History, Significance And Theme

Every year on October 16, the World Anaesthesia Day is observed. This day commemorates the first public, safe and successful administration of anaesthesia. The aim of this day is to draw attention to the essential role that anaesthesia plays in the medical care. It also serves as a reminder to recognise the efforts of anesthesiologists, who are essential to the success of surgeries.

This day is also credited for promoting advancements in anaesthesia practice to improve healthcare operations.

On 16 October 1846, Diethyl ether anaesthesia, for the first time in history, was successfully demonstrated. It was administered by a Boston dentist William TG Morton to a music teacher Eben Frost. Morton became the first to publicly demonstrate the use of diethyl ether as a general anesthetic at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The World Anaesthesia Day therefore honours the successful administration of the first anaesthesia and invites medical professionals worldwide to commemorate and celebrate this milestone.

Ever since the first anaesthesia was safely and publicly administered, its use for safe medical procedure was encouraged in the medical care. His work also led to the adoption and promotion of contemporary anaesthesia methods in the medical field today.

This year's theme is "Workforce Well Being". This theme features the important role that anaesthesia plays in the treatment of cancer. This also encourages participants to campaign for the increase awareness and support the expansion of anaesthesia services to improve the prognosis of cancer patients. Around 80% of patients with cancer require anaesthesia for treatment or palliative care.

This day is also known as Ether Day, and honours a landmark day in medical history. It celebrates the scientific discovery that allowed patients to have operations without feeling any pain.

This day also invites professionals to participate and to spread information and awareness on anaesthesia and how to safely administer it.