KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — Malaysia needs 1,800 anaesthetists to keep pace with medical and surgical technology development in advanced countries, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

Athough Malaysia has only 680 anaesthetists for every 40,000 people, the situation was not serious, he said, adding that what needed to be done was to increase the number.

He said 58 per cent of anaesthetists in the country were working in government hospitals.

“Apart from administering anaesthesia for normal surgery, they are also needed for orthopaedic and neurosurgical procedures.

“They also are needed to provide pain control for critically ill patients in intensive care and critical care units,” he told reporters after launching the National Anaesthesia Day here today.

Subramaniam (picture) attributed the shortage of anaesthetists to poor response from medical students or doctors in pursuing anaesthesiology courses.

“To offset the situation, more students will be offered places in local universities to study anaesthesiology courses while physicians will be encouraged to specialise in anaesthesia through courses in medical institutes under the Health Ministry,” he added. — Bernama