Joining Hands for a Pain-Free Future: Highlights from the 2nd World Day of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine

The 2nd World Day of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine (WDRAPM), held on January 25, 2025, marked a significant milestone in our collective mission to advance pain management practices globally.

Building upon the success of our inaugural event in 2024—which brought together more than 14,000 participants across 140 cities in 60 countries—we were proud to see the 2025 edition expand its reach and impact even further. Under the unifying theme “Joining Hands for a Pain-Free Future Worldwide,” we witnessed unprecedented participation, with over 185 cities across all continents hosting activities and engaging thousands of healthcare professionals dedicated to regional anaesthesia and pain medicine. The 2025 celebration included over 60,000 participants, a remarkable leap forward that reflects our growing community and shared vision. We were also honored by the active participation of our Sister Societies—ASRA, LASRA, AOSRA, and AFSRA—as well as numerous local societies, whose engagement added richness, diversity, and strength to the initiative.

«Forty-nine participating teams, comprising 196 trainees in total, worked together to crack a series of riddles and clinical puzzles.»

One of this year’s most exciting innovations was the launch of the Escape Game: Regional Anaesthesia Edition—an interactive, gamified educational experience designed to challenge participants’ teamwork, problem-solving skills, and clinical knowledge. Forty-nine participating teams, comprising 196 trainees in total, worked together to crack a series of riddles and clinical puzzles, ultimately completing a final task that required sharp thinking and collaboration. This dynamic format fostered a strong sense of camaraderie while reinforcing essential concepts in a fun and memorable way.

We were thrilled to award the winning teams of the Escape Game with free registration to the upcoming ESRA Congress in Oslo—an invaluable opportunity for further professional growth and networking with leading experts in our field. Congratulations to the outstanding teams from Algiers (Algeria), Dhaka South DMPC (Bangladesh), and Muscat (Oman), whose remarkable teamwork stood out during the challenge. In Algiers, the team led by Dr. Bouarroudj Noreddine, with Zakaria Amine, Mohamed Boutefnouchete, Anaïs Harrar, and Lynda Ait Mokhtar, demonstrated exceptional synergy (completion time – 15:28:00). In Dhaka South DMPC, under the moderation of Prof. AKM Akhtaruzzaman, the team of Mazharul Alam, Nasreen Boby, A.K.M Ashraful Haque, and Anamul Haque rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and skill (completion time – 15:39:00). Meanwhile, the Muscat team, guided by Dr. Jyoti Burad and including Hanan Shatayat Al Ghannami, Thuraiya Salim Al Hadifi, Ameera Al Sabahi, and Sara Jose, showcased clinical sharpness and creativity (completion time – 17:22:00). We are looking forward to meeting all of you in Oslo!

Beyond the Escape Game, we curated a Comprehensive Scientific Programme that offered diverse learning formats and rich content. These included local in-person gatherings, online sessions, interactive workshops, and hands-on demonstrations—all designed to foster meaningful exchanges between trainees and experts. Our goal was to create opportunities for learning, reflection, and progress, and we are proud of the wide range of topics we explored:

• Sister Societies Journal Club: Engaging discussions on recent literature in regional anesthesia, perioperative care, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and chronic pain.
• The “Joint” Club: Focused on foot and ankle procedures, with in-depth analysis of anatomy, technique debates, and evidence-based practices.
• The “Ultrasound” Club: Delivered pearls and pitfalls to help clinicians master ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
• The “AI” Club: Opened the floor to the exciting future role of artificial intelligence in our field.
• The “Green” Club: Highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability in anesthesia practice.
• The “Acute & Chronic Pain Medicine” Club: Offered strategies to prevent and manage chronic postsurgical pain.
• The “Mother & Child” Club: Provided dedicated insights into obstetric and pediatric regional anesthesia.

As we reflect on the remarkable success of the 2nd WDRAPM, we are humbled and energized by the global community’s commitment and enthusiasm. This initiative has truly become a force for progress in regional anesthesia and pain medicine, and this year’s growth and innovation—including our new Escape Game—highlight the strength of what we can achieve when we come together.

Looking ahead, we are inspired to keep building on this momentum. We will continue to foster global collaboration, drive innovation, and work hand in hand with colleagues around the world toward our shared goal: a pain-free future for all.
See you in 2026!