The discontinuation of halothane production and its implications for anaesthesia practice in resource-limited countries: a Nigerian perspective

Abstract

Halothane has long been a cornerstone of anaesthesia in low- and middle-income countries, (LMICs) including Nigeria, owing to its low cost, effectiveness, and compatibility with basic delivery systems such as draw-over apparatus. However, its declining global production, driven by commercial decisions in high-income markets, threatens the sustainability of anaesthesia in resource-limited settings. This review examines the implications of reduced availability of halothane for Nigerian anaesthesia practice and explores strategies to maintain safe perioperative care. A narrative review of the literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciSpace was conducted, focused on halothane use, volatile agents, workforce capacity, and service delivery in Nigerian and LMICs healthcare contexts. The diminishing supply of halothane poses major challenges for rural and under-resourced facilities that rely on it for routine surgery, reflecting deeper systemic problems including inadequate healthcare funding, infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages, and reliance on imported medical supplies. Transitioning to alternatives such as isoflurane or sevoflurane offers safety advantages but entails higher costs, greater equipment requirements, increased training needs, and the potential widening existing disparities in access to safe anaesthesia. The cessation of halothane production poses both a challenge and an opportunity for anaesthesia practice in Nigeria. Strategic investments in workforce training, infrastructure, affordable alternative techniques, and supportive national policies are essential to ensure a sustainable transition and to preserve equitable, high-quality perioperative care.