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Our Vision

Universal access to safe anaesthesia.

Our Mission

Uniting and empowering anaesthesiologists around the world to improve patient care.

How we work

The WFSA is the foremost global alliance of anaesthesiologists, the specialist physicians dedicated to the total care of the patient before, during and after surgery. Anaesthesiologists are leaders in teamwork and patient safety, and are experts in anaesthesia and perioperative care, resuscitation, intensive care medicine and pain management.

We deliver our mission through programmes that are implemented together with national, regional and specialty anaesthesiology societies. We also work with other organisations that share our objectives, including, but not limited to, the World Health Organisation, governments, non-governmental organisations, specialist medical organisations, academic institutions, patient groups, hospitals, and industry. 

Safe anaesthesia and perioperative care are essential for safe surgery, and we welcome partnerships aimed at strengthening health systems and achieving universal health coverage.

Fact: 11% of the global burden of disease could be treated by surgery and anaesthesia.

More detail on how the WFSA plans to reach the goals set out by the Lancet Commission and by World Health Assembly Resolution 68.15 in relation to UHC can be found in the articles below:

The Role of the WFSA in Reaching the Goals of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

American College of Surgeons Bulletin, Implementing WHA 68.15 (May 2018)

WFSA Constitution

The WFSA’s Constitution has gone through periodic revisions since the first World Congress in 1955. The most recent version was approved by the General Assembly in 2016 and can be downloaded here.

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