The 19th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA), organized by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) in collaboration with the Moroccan Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Resuscitation (SMAAR), took place in Marrakech, Morocco. The congress welcomed more than 3,700 participants from 132 countries, providing a truly global platform for education, scientific exchange and international collaboration.
The scientific programme covered the full spectrum of anaesthesia and intensive care, including perioperative medicine, patient blood management, airway management, haemodynamic monitoring, regional anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia, critical care, obstetric anaesthesia, sustainability, postoperative pain management, simulation-based education and patient safety. The meeting also highlighted emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced clinical information systems aimed at improving patient safety.
A central theme of this year's congress was translating evidence into everyday clinical practice. The Harold Griffith Lecture by Adrian Gelb emphasized the need to bridge the gap between rapidly expanding medical knowledge and its reliable implementation in patient care.
The Czech Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (ČSARIM) was actively represented throughout the congress. Czech delegates presented six scientific posters covering paediatric anaesthesia, intensive care, regional anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and multidisciplinary care. The presentations generated considerable interest and reflected the high quality of Czech research and clinical practice.
The Congress also brought important professional achievements. Prof. Černý was elected to the WFSA Council as the European representative, while Prof. Petr Štourač was elected to the WFSA Education Committee for the next two-year term, where he presented the educational platform AKUTNĚ.CZ and ongoing projects in simulation-based education.
Beyond the scientific programme, the congress provided valuable opportunities to exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world, establish new collaborations and gain insight into different healthcare systems. The vibrant atmosphere of Marrakech further enriched the experience, making the meeting both professionally and personally inspiring.
The Czech delegation returned from the congress with new knowledge, strengthened international partnerships and enthusiasm for future collaboration, looking forward to the next World Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Vancouver in 2028.
