Hyderabad, Feb 2 (Agency) India’s first Society of Perioperative Physician Anaesthesiologists (SOPPA) has been formed here, bringing together over 120 anaesthesiologists from across the city. The newly formed association held its inaugural meeting at Anantha Rehabilitation Centre, Begumpet, on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Satyanarayana Nuthula, President of SOPPA, emphasized that an anaesthesiologist is a fully competent physician, holding a medical degree and undergoing extensive training in anaesthesia. He stated that anaesthesiologists play a crucial role in managing a patient’s medical condition during surgery, administering anaesthetic agents, and monitoring vital signs, making them specialists in perioperative pain management. He further pointed out that in many countries, anaesthesiologists are recognized as perioperative physicians, and India should adopt the same practice.
Dr Nuthula explained that anaesthesiologists are responsible for a patient’s medical management before, during, and after surgery, ensuring comprehensive perioperative care. He, along with SOPPA Secretary Dr Raja Narsing Rao and Treasurer Dr Kalyani, in the presence of advisors Dr M Chandrashekar, Dr R Gopinath, Dr P Surendra, and Dr Manimala Rao, urged the Medical Council of India (MCI) to formally recognize perioperative anaesthesiologists as equally competent physicians. “We hold a medical degree equivalent to any other physician, including Doctor of Medicine (MD), and undergo rigorous training. We are equally responsible for patient care,” said Dr Nuthula.
He further added that SOPPA has been officially registered, and the association is currently formulating guidelines to define its objectives and future initiatives. SOPPA and AIG Hospitals will be jointly organizing the first-ever Perioperative Medicine Conclave at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, on March 22 and 23, announced Dr Raja Narsing Rao. Telangana has over 3,000 anaesthesiologists, while India has around one lakh practitioners. The Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists boasts a membership of over 30,000, highlighting the critical role of anaesthesia in modern medical care, according to a statement.