Mongolia

Anaesthesia plays an integral role in surgery and is also crucial in intensive care, resuscitation, emergency care and operative obstetrics. In association with Anaesthetists from the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, Interplast has commenced working with the newly established Mongolian Society of Anaesthetists (MSA) to implement safe anaesthetic training in Mongolia.

This year, the program has supported the development of training materials and curriculum, and established an anaesthetic resource centre.   A local project coordinator has been employed to supervise the trainees enrolled in the new anaesthetic training program, with the first intake to commence in September 2009.

In June 2009, 100 Mongolian anaesthetists attended a 3 day Airway Management Seminar arranged by the MSA and delivered by six volunteer Australian anaesthetists. Over 100 anaesthetists and trainees attended, including 20 rural anaesthetists. For many of these rural anaesthetists, this was their first opportunity to participate in further education.  This course also educated senior Mongolian anaesthetists to become future trainers.