Das Fachgebiet Anästhesie abseits der westlichen Medizin: Unter besonderer Berücksichtigung eigener Erfahrungen in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo und der Mongolei

During the last decades anesthesia has developed into a wide ranging speciality in western countries, whereas in most developing and newly industrializing nations it still focuses on its core discipline, the perioperative care of the surgical patient. Poor socioeconomic status and inadequate financing of health systems result in a high burden of disease, a high rate of self-financing of healthcare costs by the patients, as well as insufficient personnel, infrastructural and material equipment of most healthcare facilities. Important limiting factors for anesthesia are low educational standards and a widespread lack of oxygen and medical gas supplies, as well as locally serviceable medical equipment. Studies evaluating the status of anesthesia in developing and newly industrializing nations in detail are urgently needed in order to provide aid on national and international as well as institutional and private levels for the development of anesthesia in poor countries.