World Anaesthesia Day on 16 October 2026 celebrates the essential role of anaesthesiologists throughout the patient journey – before, during and beyond surgery.
World Anaesthesia Day (WAD) brings together the global anaesthesia community to celebrate progress in anaesthesia and highlight the importance of safe, affordable and equitable anaesthesia care.
World Anaesthesia Day 2026 will celebrate the many ways anaesthesiologists support patients throughout their care journey, often in roles and settings that extend far beyond the operating room.
WAD2026 will showcase:
- The diverse contribution of anaesthesiologists across the patient pathway.
- The WFSA Presidential Theme 2026–2028, Anaesthesiology Along the Patient Pathway.
- Global opportunities for the anaesthesia community to learn, connect and celebrate.
- Stories, videos and creative contributions from anaesthesiologists around the world.
Anaesthesiology Along the Patient Pathway
WAD2026 is aligned with the WFSA Presidential Theme 2026–2028: Anaesthesiology Along the Patient Pathway.
The theme recognises the many ways anaesthesiologists support patients throughout their journey, from their first contact with healthcare through treatment, recovery and beyond.
Anaesthesiologists work in many settings, including emergency and prehospital care, operating rooms, intensive care, pain services and non-operating room care. They also support patients after discharge through services such as chronic pain and palliative care.
Through this theme, WFSA aims to highlight the importance of strong, well-supported anaesthesia services in delivering safer, more coordinated and patient-centred care and in building resilient health systems.
The theme also creates an opportunity to engage patients, other health professionals and the wider care community in understanding the vital role of anaesthesiology.
World Anaesthesia Day Activities
Webinar Marathon
On 16 October 2026, WFSA will host a global WAD2026 Webinar Marathon, bringing together experts and audiences across different regions and time zones.
The marathon will feature five live sessions over 12 hours, with four talks in each session, making 20 talks in total. Three sessions will focus on major global regions, while two additional sessions will provide dedicated tracks in Spanish and French.
Across the sessions, speakers will explore how anaesthesiology contributes to the patient pathway through different stages of care, including:
- Before the hospital
- Core services and care pathways during hospitalisation
- Beyond the operating room
- After discharge
Date: 16 October 2026
Platform: Zoom
Languages: English, with AI-powered translated captions, Spanish and French
Format: Live presentations with moderated Q&A
SESSION 1:
SESSION 2:
SESSION 3:
SESSION 4:
SESSION 5:
Social Media Engagement
Join the global celebration on social media by sharing your WAD2026 activities, stories and messages using #WAD2026.
WFSA has created a range of WAD2026 social media resources, all available to download from this page:
WAD2026 Video Competition
WFSA is inviting anaesthesiologists to take part in the WAD2026 Video Byte Contest, an opportunity to showcase the role and impact of anaesthesiologists before, during and beyond surgery.
Participants can submit a short video of up to 30 seconds reflecting the theme Before. During. Beyond Surgery – Anaesthesiologists Along the Patient Pathway. Videos can be submitted in English or a local language, and creative formats including narration, animation, captions and graphics are welcome.
Submission deadline: 30 September 2026.
A Special WAD2026 Video: With You Every Step
On 15 October, WFSA will launch a special video created for World Anaesthesia Day 2026.
With You Every Step follows a patient’s journey through healthcare, showing how anaesthesiologists are present at different stages of care, from emergency response and pre-operative assessment to the operating room, intensive care, pain management and recovery.
The video will highlight a simple message: you may not always notice them, but anaesthesiologists are there, with patients every step of the way.
Join the #WAD2026 Photobooth
Help us celebrate World Anaesthesia Day by taking part in the #WAD2026 Photobooth.
As in previous years, the global anaesthesia community will be invited to take a photo using the virtual photobooth and share it on social media. Tag WFSA and use #WAD2026 so we can bring together celebrations from around the world.
Whether you are celebrating with colleagues, your Member Society, your hospital or your wider healthcare team, we want to see how you are marking World Anaesthesia Day.
The photobooth link will be made available closer to World Anaesthesia Day.
Join the Global Celebration
World Anaesthesia Day is a chance for the global anaesthesia community to come together and celebrate the people who help patients at every stage of their care.
Mark 16 October 2026 in your calendar.
Join the webinar marathon, take part in the video competition, share your #WAD2026 Photobooth photos and help us show the world how anaesthesiologists are With You Every Step.
