{
  "id": 13990823,
  "title": "Anaesthesiologist dispels fears about waking up after surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/anaesthesiologist-dispels-fears-about-waking-up-after-surgery",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-12T15:27:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/health/anaesthesiologist-dispels/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the eve of World Anaesthesia Day, Dr Barbara Koomson, an anaesthesiologist at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, is working to dispel public concerns surrounding the procedure. Despite the day marking the anniversary of the first successful use of ether anesthesia in 1846, misconceptions persist which deter some patients from undergoing potentially life-saving surgery, according to Dr Koomson. One persistent fear is that patients will not awaken after the procedure, a notion Dr Koomson dispels with facts about modern anesthesia practices. \"Modern anesthesia is administered by trained professionals who ensure patients remain safe, pain-free, and stable before, during, and after surgery,\" she explained.\n\nDr Koomson elaborated that anesthesia is not simply about inducing sleep, but rather a complex process involving a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's medical history, airway, allergies, vital signs, and the administration of precise medications. There are three primary types of anesthesia: general, regional, and local. The choice of anesthesia depends on the type of surgery and the patient's specific medical condition. Concerns about complications like back pain following spinal anesthesia were addressed. Dr Koomson clarified that such discomfort could stem from the surgical procedure itself or the patient's position during surgery, rather than the anaesthetic itself. Like other medical procedures, anesthesia carries potential side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, and sore throat, which are typically manageable.\n\nDr Koomson's message underscores the broader roles of anaesthesiologists beyond the operating room. They are also integral to intensive care, emergency medicine, pain management, and resuscitation efforts. The observance of World Anaesthesia Day on October 16 aims to honor the historical significance of ether anesthesia, pioneered by American dentist William T. G. Morton on that date in 1846.",
  "summary": "By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave As the world prepares to mark World Anaesthesia Day, a specialist anaesthesiologist at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr Barbara Koomson, has sought to allay public fears about anaesthesia, stressing its importance in surgical procedures. Speaking ahead of the commemoration, Dr Koomson said misconceptions about anaesthesia continue to discourage some patients […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}