Pretoria - Free State Health MEC Dr Benny Malakoane says the provincial health services are ready to handle any health-related incidents during tonight’s match of the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Bloemfontein is one of the host cities for CHAN group C matches. Tonight, the Libyan national team will be facing Ethiopia at the Free State Stadium.
Malakoane, who visited the health and medical centres at the Free State Stadium to determine the readiness of the health services, assured that the provincial operational plan will be executed with precision.
“Our medical centres are well equipped to deal with any emergency and are well stocked with the necessary medical equipment and medicines. I am impressed with the superior back-up systems and I am confident that our medical, nursing and emergency care staff will be able to handle any incident expertly,” said Malakoane.
He said that the Free State Department of Health is also partnering with hospitals and emergency care services from the private sector in Bloemfontein to ensure the health and wellbeing of visitors to the city and the spectators at the matches.
“I am grateful for the support rendered by the private medical and health services in town as well as the support provided by the South African Medical Health Services of the SA National Defence Force. This type of collaboration and support is key to our success on this project.
“Visitors and spectators to the matches hosted in Bloemfontein can rest assured that they are in good hands. I want to give credit to the work done behind the scenes by provincial and national government departments such as the South African Police Services and the Mangaung Metro to deliver a tournament of high quality,” Malakoane said.
The tournament kicked off on Saturday with a match between hosts South Africa and Mozambique.
In all, 32 matches will be played on 16 match days at four stadiums – at Polokwane, Bloemfontein and in Cape Town at Athlone Stadium and in the Cape Town Stadium. – SAnews.gov.za
