Anaesthetic Services in Registered Private Hospitals in the Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Christie Nwidum Mato¹, Chinedu Paul Iwuoha², Damian Uchechukwu Onah², Fiekabo Hart^2, , Chigozie Benedeth Uwandu², Vernatius Chibueze Aniobi², Endurance Oghenemaro Aguwe², Bolaji Majeed Mabadeje², Ayanate Oruobu-Nwogu², Benson Onyeka Ezeobika² and Rex Friday Ogoronta Alderton Ijah³

¹Professor of Anaesthesiology / Consultant Anaesthesiologist / Intensive Care Physician, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Consultant Anaesthesiologist University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

³Consultant surgeon, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Cite this paper:
Christie Nwidum Mato, Chinedu Paul Iwuoha, Damian Uchechukwu Onah, Fiekabo Hart, Chigozie Benedeth Uwandu, Vernatius Chibueze Aniobi, Endurance Oghenemaro Aguwe, Bolaji Majeed Mabadeje, Ayanate Oruobu-Nwogu, Benson Onyeka Ezeobika and Rex Friday Ogoronta Alderton Ijah. Anaesthetic Services in Registered Private Hospitals in the Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine. 2026; 14(2):17-24. doi: 10.12691/ajmsm-14-2-1

Abstract

Background: Anaesthesia and surgical care are essential for the treatment of many health-related conditions presenting in public and private health facilities. This study aimed to evaluate anaesthetic practices in registered private hospitals in the Port Harcourt Metropolis in the year 2025 with a view to improving and/or recommending minimum standards of care for maximum patient safety. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among registered private hospitals in Port-Harcourt, using questionnaire. Data was analysed with SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics was presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square tests were used to explore associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Out of the 163 hospitals 160 (98.2%) were registered, most hospitals (n = 121, 74.2%) had 20 beds and less, and 161 (98.8%) performed surgery. Less than half of the hospitals (n = 76, 46.6%) had anaesthetic machine, 161 hospitals (98.8%) had suction machines out of which 10 (6.1%) was non-functional. Airway management equipment was lacking in 60 (63.2%) facilities, oxygen was available in 160 (98.2%) facilities supplied mainly from cylinders (n = 121, 74.2%). Anaesthesia was administered predominantly by physician anaesthetists (93.3%) of which are only 56 (34.4%) hospitals had consultants present. Spinal anaesthesia was the most frequently performed anaesthetic technique reported in all the facilities (n = 163, 100%). Statistically significant relationship (P=0.000) was found between facilities with higher the number of surgeries done and availability of recovery room in the hospital. Conclusion: There were few large private hospitals, and a significant number of the facilities lacked some equipment and accessories needed for safe administration of anaesthesia. Deliberate action is needed by governmental and professional bodies for improvement.

Keywords:
Anaesthetic Services Private Hospitals Registered Port Harcourt Nigeria

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