By John Dike
The University of Osun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, is set to raise public awareness about the importance of anaesthesia in modern healthcare as part of activities marking the 2026 World Anaesthesia Day.
The hospital will use its health education programme, Medical Half Hour, to educate listeners on anaesthesia and its role in ensuring patient safety before, during and after surgery.
The programme, sponsored by the teaching hospital, will air on Rave 91.7 FM, Osogbo, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.
A specialist in the hospital’s Department of Anaesthesia, Dr Eniola Johnson, will speak on the theme, “2026 World Anaesthesia Day: Before, During and Beyond Surgery.”
World Anaesthesia Day is observed annually on October 16 to recognise the importance of anaesthesia in healthcare and acknowledge the contributions of anaesthesiologists, nurse anaesthetists and other professionals involved in keeping patients safe and comfortable during surgical procedures.
This year’s theme highlights the role of anaesthesia beyond pain relief during surgery, including pre-operative assessment, patient preparation, care during operations, intensive care, chronic pain management and palliative care.
During the broadcast, Johnson is expected to explain the meaning and significance of anaesthesia, its applications in modern medicine and the responsibilities of anaesthesiologists in healthcare delivery.
She will also address common misconceptions about the practice, particularly the assumption that anaesthesia simply involves putting patients to sleep. The discussion will cover the different types of anaesthesia and how they work.
Other issues to be examined include the need for anaesthesia during surgical procedures, whether operations can be performed without it, and the significance of the 2026 World Anaesthesia Day theme.
The initiative is aimed at improving public understanding of anaesthesia and highlighting its contribution to safer surgical procedures and patient care throughout the treatment process.
The Medical Half Hour programme forms part of the teaching hospital’s efforts to promote health education, provide reliable medical information and encourage healthy living among members of the public.
