The most common emergency procedures are caesarean section, laparotomy and the reduction of fractures. We are currently trying to develop systems to provide a safe and effective anaesthesia service. This is a better option than the purchase of bulky oxygen tanks. Ether and ketamine, preferably used with spontaneous breathing, will still be needed beyond the year 2000. Halothane and thiopentone are reserved for cases in whom these drugs are unsuitable.
Nitrous oxide is considered too risky and an unnecessary luxury.
The universities teach anaesthesia techniques to anaesthesiology residents, medical students and nurses. The ideal solution to the manpower shortage in our situation is to train more anaesthesiologists to supervise the nurses. However, anaesthesia is not considered an attractive specialty and only 20-25 new anaesthesiologists graduate each year. Only half of the total of 3,000 new doctors who graduate each year have sufficient skill to administer general anaesthesia. Balanced anaesthesia and polypharmacy are not appropriate.