The 10th Annual KRNA Conference: Advancing Quality Anesthesia for Nurse Anesthetists

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Discover the highlights of the monumental 10th Annual KRNA Conference hosted in Meru County, Kenya. As the inaugural conference organized by the recently established Association of Nurse Anesthetists-Kenya (ARNA-K), this event surpassed all expectations, setting a new benchmark for nurse anesthetists’ professional development in the country

.Over three days, we welcomed a record-breaking attendance of more than 129 participants, with nurse anesthetists comprising an impressive 71% of the delegates. Joining them were anesthesia assistants, anesthesiologists, and perioperative nurses, contributing to a diverse and vibrant gathering. In addition to the Kenyans from 34 counties, the event welcomed international delegates from Zambia, South Sudan, and Tanzania. The conference revolved around the central theme of quality anesthesia, with a focus on patient safety. Attendees engaged in a comprehensive program consisting of enlightening lectures, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking panel discussions, all geared towards enhancing their knowledge and refining their practice.

“Very good presentations from knowledgeable and wise speakers”

Conference participant Feedback
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Investing in anesthesia workforce: a case for non-physician anesthetists

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An anesthetist standing behind a surgical table curtain


Five billion people lack access to safe surgical and anesthesia services. In some parts of the world, this translates to more than 95% of the population without access to safe surgery. Surgery is described as the neglected step-child of Global Health. In the same breath, anesthesia is surgery’s ‘invisible sister’.

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REGIONAL NURSE ANESTHETISTS CONFERENCE

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A few years ago, the International Federation for Nurse Anesthetists started grappling with the issue of how to get more nurse anesthetists, especially those from Member countries, attend their World Congress. Despite the desire by many nurse anesthetists to take advantage of such global learning events, a number of challenges limit their engagement. These include limited resources to cater for conference costs and travel barriers like visas. To mitigate these challenges, the Executive leadership of IFNA decided to explore the option of holding regional conferences in countries where members come from to allow the those living in that region have the opportunity to attend an international event, closer to home. Africa was chosen to host the first regional IFNA conference.

With support from African delegates attending the IFNA Congresses, Kenya was asked to host the 1st ever regional conference. Dubbed Pan African Nurse Anesthetists Conference or PANAC in short, the event hopes to bring together nurse anesthetists from across the continent to learn, share experience, and shine a spotlight on the role they play in the delivery of safe anesthesia on the continent. The conference is slated for June 11-13th, 2020 in Nairobi City.

This event hopes to have engagement with nurse anesthetists but welcomes all non physician anesthetists and other health workers interested to engage more in driving forward access and delivery of safe anesthesia for all. It is hoped that this event will be form the foundation for strong collaborations that will foster continued learning and support beyond this 3 day event.

For more information on the conference, visit www.panac.africa for the latest updates.

EIGHTH ANNUAL KRNA CONFERENCE: NYERI COUNTY EDITION

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The focus of the 8th Annual KRNA conference was on the Principles and Perspectives on Pediatric Anesthesia and Pain Management. This event provides anesthesia providers and primarily, the Kenya Registered Nurse Anesthetists (KRNA), with an opportunity for a rich Continuous Medical Education experience. With a mix of both local and international faculty, the KRNA conference has provides a mix of both classroom and practical learning. Since 2014, simulation based training has been a part of the KRNA conference experience. This year, the simulation based training focus was on managing pediatric emergencies and neonatal resuscitation.

Simulation training is becoming an important part of healthcare training. It is of great importance and in future, I hope we can use simulation training to further to strengthen quality anesthesia care on our continent

Steve Thuo, Simulation Training Facilitator, Kijabe Hospital

Introduced this year were panel sessions that gave the delegates an opportunity to share real time experience on certain topics including management of pediatric syndromes and airway management for pediatrics. The delegates also had an opportunity to listen to a rich mix of lectures on various topics ranging from fluid management, airway management, protecting brain development and multimodal perioperative pain management among others. The delegates also had the chance to present cases that created a forum for problem based learning discussion.

This year’s event was made possible through funding from our partners that included Africa Mission Healthcare and Abbvie. The support they provide allow the planning committee subsidize the cost of the conference. This year’s event was attended by almost 100 anesthesia providers from across Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Our key speakers came from various institutions including Kijabe Hospital, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and University of Nairobi. We thank all the individuals and institutions that made this conference a success and look forward to continued partnership as we seek to ensure safe (and pain free) surgery and anesthesia for all.