The history of the Department of Anaesthesia dates back to 1962 when the Lagos Medical School and Lagos University Teaching Hospital were established. Clinical anaesthesia commenced in August 1962 with the arrival of a group of four Canadian doctors headed by the late Prof. Shirley Flemming. It became the first academic/clinical Department of Anaesthesia in Nigeria. Prof V. Fowler became the second Head of Department in 1968. During his tenure, the residency training programme in anaesthesia commenced in 1972. The headship of the department transferred to Prof D.J.O. Ffoulkes-Crabbe in 1978 and has been held by a number of distinguished anaesthetists including Prof O.T. Kushimo.

Training in the Department

The department is involved in training of undergraduate medical and dental students in resuscitation, safe anaesthesia techniques and critical care medicine. There are presently two postgraduate programmes run in the department; Diploma in Anaesthesia of the University of Lagos (PGDA) and the Residency Training Programmes for the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College (FMCA) and the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS). The Department has been in the forefront of postgraduate anaesthesia training being the first Department in the country to offer the University Postgraduate Diploma in Anaesthesia (PGDA) thereby contributing to the provision of middle-level manpower. The School of Anaesthetic Technician (SOAT) runs a 3 year training course culminating in a Diploma (Anaesthesia technician). Presently there are 25 students enrolled. Coordinator: Dr. Adeniyi Adesida Deputy Coordinator: Dr. Pamela Agbamu Our departmental staff is also involved in the training of Theatre Nurses and Midwives, Accidents and Emergency Nurses and Ophthalmic Nurses. We organize training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for hospital staff as well as corporate bodies and Institutions. In 2017, the Department was accredited as a training center for a post-fellowship training programme in paediatric anaesthesia by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologist (WFSA). The Department of Anaesthesia is committed to maintaining excellence in anaesthesia through quality education, service and research.

THEATRE COMPLEXES

Modular Theatre: The main theatre complex is the modular theatre complex which has 6 suites that are functional and well equipped as well as a recovery room or post anaesthetic care room which can accommodate more than 10 patients .
Obstetric theatre: situated in the newly renovated obstetric complex comprising of 2 theatre suites.
Obstetric Anaesthesia Coordinator: Dr. Pamela Agbamu
Deputy:Dr. Uzoma Ifezue

KidsOR/ SmileTrain theatre: is situated on the 1st floor of the Olikoye Ransome Kuti Paediatric complex. It comprises of 2 theatre suites which are exclusively for children.

Ophthalmic Theatre: is situated on the 1st floor of Guinness Eye Centre. It consists of 2 operating theatres dedicated to eye surgeries.