Real-World Anaesthesia Experts Share Knowledge to Improve Global Health Equity
03 Nov 2025
Chris is involved in the Real World Anaesthesia Course (RWAC), which was held for the first time on the Gold Coast this year.
This course offers anaesthetists practical, hands-on training to help them work effectively in resource-limited environments.
Growing up in Vanuatu, Chris has always been driven to improve health outcomes in the Pacific and other developing regions.
“I feel a moral duty to teach, train and educate to help build sustainable health capacity in our neighbouring countries that lack the resources we have,” he explained.
“My first international trip was to East Timor in 2001, which was still a conflict zone.”
There is a significant gap in the global anaesthesia workforce.
Australia has 21 anaesthetists per 100,000 people, whereas Papua New Guinea, with a population of about 15 million, has only 0.3 anaesthetists—equivalent to having just two anaesthetists on the Gold Coast. Chris points out that similar shortages are common in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the urgent need for such training programs.
The RWAC, backed by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, covers a range of activities including lectures, clinical work, hands-on simulations, and networking over five days.
Since it started in Tasmania in 1997, the course has trained anaesthetists from around the world, with just 24 spots available annually. Many applicants have had to wait up to three years to get a place.
“We have a faculty of 13 with a combined experience of around 250 years in developing countries.
The theatre sessions and simulations are particularly valuable. This is the only course globally that includes a clinical component where participants actually work in operating theatres under supervision, using equipment similar to what disaster response teams and NGOs use,” Chris explained.
The aim of the course is to build on participants’ existing knowledge and boost their confidence for those considering overseas work.
While some decide the experience isn't right for them, others are eager to apply their skills in real-world settings.
Chris thanks co-convenors Phil Blum and Wayne Morriss, along with Jane Schweitzer at the GCUH Simulation Centre, for their support.
Although the 2025 program has finished, preparations for the next course in Melbourne are already underway.
“It’s a very labour-intensive course—it takes a year to prepare and just five days to run.
I’m also going to the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Morocco in the coming months. I live in a negative leave balance, but it’s all very important work,” Chris said.
Chris reflects on how his international work gives him a broader perspective:
“We’re really lucky here in Australia.
It’s not until you see how others live that you truly understand how fortunate we are.”
Source: Gold Coast University Hospital, 2025.
This course offers anaesthetists practical, hands-on training to help them work effectively in resource-limited environments.
Growing up in Vanuatu, Chris has always been driven to improve health outcomes in the Pacific and other developing regions.
“I feel a moral duty to teach, train and educate to help build sustainable health capacity in our neighbouring countries that lack the resources we have,” he explained.
“My first international trip was to East Timor in 2001, which was still a conflict zone.”
There is a significant gap in the global anaesthesia workforce.
Australia has 21 anaesthetists per 100,000 people, whereas Papua New Guinea, with a population of about 15 million, has only 0.3 anaesthetists—equivalent to having just two anaesthetists on the Gold Coast. Chris points out that similar shortages are common in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the urgent need for such training programs.
The RWAC, backed by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, covers a range of activities including lectures, clinical work, hands-on simulations, and networking over five days.
Since it started in Tasmania in 1997, the course has trained anaesthetists from around the world, with just 24 spots available annually. Many applicants have had to wait up to three years to get a place.
“We have a faculty of 13 with a combined experience of around 250 years in developing countries.
The theatre sessions and simulations are particularly valuable. This is the only course globally that includes a clinical component where participants actually work in operating theatres under supervision, using equipment similar to what disaster response teams and NGOs use,” Chris explained.
The aim of the course is to build on participants’ existing knowledge and boost their confidence for those considering overseas work.
While some decide the experience isn't right for them, others are eager to apply their skills in real-world settings.
Chris thanks co-convenors Phil Blum and Wayne Morriss, along with Jane Schweitzer at the GCUH Simulation Centre, for their support.
Although the 2025 program has finished, preparations for the next course in Melbourne are already underway.
“It’s a very labour-intensive course—it takes a year to prepare and just five days to run.
I’m also going to the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Morocco in the coming months. I live in a negative leave balance, but it’s all very important work,” Chris said.
Chris reflects on how his international work gives him a broader perspective:
“We’re really lucky here in Australia.
It’s not until you see how others live that you truly understand how fortunate we are.”
Source: Gold Coast University Hospital, 2025.
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