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Loco-regional anesthesia: Senegal joins the training program
This year, a new country will benefit from the ultrasound-guided ALR training program!
In mostWest African countries, there is less than one anesthetist for every 100,000 people, compared with 17 in France. According to the World Federation of Anaesthetic Societies (WFAS), anaesthesia-related deaths are 100 to 1,000 times more frequent than in the most developed countries.
To meet this critical need, La Chaîne de l’Espoir has launched an ultrasound-guided locoregional anesthesia (ALR) training program in 2021, under the supervision of Dr. Xavier Raingeval. This technique aims to put a specific part of the body to sleep, rather than resorting to general anesthesia, reducing the risk of complications and recovery time for patients.
After an initial pilot project in Burkina Faso, the program has been extended to Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Togo andEthiopia. The training courses, delivered during three-day medical missions, are backed up by regular follow-up and impact measurement via a dedicated mobile application, promoting continuous learning.
Today, some 80 anaesthetists are involved in this program, run in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The aim is to establish a chain of knowledge transmission in anesthesia, turning each participant into a potential trainer. In Mali, Dr. Shabani, trained by Dr. Xavier Raingeval, continues to pass on his skills independently.
In 2024, a new country will benefit from this program, at the request of the Société Savante d’Anesthésie: Senegal.
2 questions to
Xavier Raingeval, anesthesiologist and medical referent for the project
Why is the development of ALR
important?
This technique, widely used in France, is even more vital in countries with limited resources. Anesthesia is fundamental to daily surgery, directly influencing the quality of and access to surgical care for the greatest number of people. Its development and mastery are essential to ensure safer, more affordable and effective healthcare.
What is the impact of the project?
The aim is to train anesthetists who in turn become trainers.
Furthermore, this is a collective initiative, relying on a motivated local team rather than a single individual. This ensures a lasting transfer of skills and a multiplier effect. On the ground, healthcare professionals and structures representing the profession, such as the African Society of Loco-Regional Anaesthesia, are showing keen interest. This project not only stimulates medical practice, but also academic research.
In Burkina Faso and Mali, for example, the project’s impact is reflected in several scientific publications. These studies highlight the advantages of locoregional anesthesia, demonstrating its growing importance in these regions.
