Expert speaks on the Intensivists and Anaesthetists in the management of Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees, pushing healthcare systems to the brink of collapse. Amidst the chaos, a group of medical professionals emerged as the unsung heroes of COVID-19 management: intensivists and anaesthetists. Intensivists are medical doctors who specialise in the care of critically ill patients. They are trained to manage complex medical conditions, such as respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and sepsis. To gain deeper insight, I spoke with Dr Jamiu Akinyemi Ogunsakin, an Anaesthetist and Clinical Pharmacologist with more than 10 years of experience at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. “In the context of COVID-19, intensivists have played a crucial role in managing patients with severe respiratory distress, multi-organ failure, and other life-threatening complications. They have worked tirelessly to optimise oxygen therapy, manage mechanical ventilation, and administer life-saving medications to patients with COVID-19,” Dr Ogunsakin said. He added, “They have also developed and implemented innovative strategies to manage the surge of critically ill patients, such as creating makeshift ICUs and triaging patients based on the severity of their illness.”

The Vital Contribution of Anaesthetists

Anaesthetists are medical doctors who specialise in the administration of anaesthetics and pain management. “In the context of COVID-19, anaesthetists have played a vital role in managing patients requiring surgical interventions, such as tracheostomies and emergency surgeries,” Dr Ogunsakin explained. He continued, “Anaesthetists worked closely with intensivists to optimise patient care, ensuring that patients receive the best possible anaesthetic care while minimising the risk of complications. They have also developed and implemented protocols for managing patients with COVID-19 who require anaesthesia, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and minimising aerosol-generating procedures.”

Challenges Faced by Intensivists and Anaesthetists

Despite their critical role in COVID-19 management, intensivists and anaesthetists have faced numerous challenges, according to Dr Ogunsakin. These include:

1. Staff shortages: The surge in COVID-19 cases led to a shortage of intensivists and anaesthetists, forcing them to work long hours and take on additional responsibilities.
2. PPE shortages: The lack of PPE put intensivists and anaesthetists at risk of contracting COVID-19, requiring them to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their patients.
3. Mental health concerns: The emotional toll of working in a high-stress environment, combined with the risk of contracting COVID-19, took a significant toll on the mental health of intensivists and anaesthetists.
4. Lack of resources: The shortage of ICU beds, ventilators, and other critical care resources forced intensivists and anaesthetists to make difficult decisions about patient care, often with limited resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Ogunsakin explained that Intensivists and anaesthetists have emerged as the unsung heroes of COVID-19 management. Despite facing numerous challenges, they worked tirelessly to provide critical care to patients with COVID-19. Even as the pandemic has ended, it is essential that we recognize the vital contribution of these medical professionals to motivate them to continue providing exceptional care to patients with in dire needs.