The Department of Health is confident medical services are in place to cater for emergencies that might arise during the upcoming 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, writes Gabi Khumalo.
Soccer fans attending the FIFA Confederations Cup, from 14 to 28 June 2009, can rest assured that they will be well taken care of, if their health is compromised in any way.
According to the department, on-site medical centres will be located at the four host cities, Loftus Stadium in Tshwane, Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein's Mangaung Stadium and the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg.
Also present at the site will be aero-medical services, emergency medical services (EMS), disaster and mass casualty planning and a bio-chemical defence team.
Extensive input and guidance have been provided to the Local Organising Committee's (LOC) Technical Committee regarding the design and criteria for medical centres and medical posts within each stadium.
"The criteria included information pertaining to size and layout, medical equipment, lighting and power requirements, telephone and data lines, ablution and sluice facilities, fixtures and fittings, location, signage, ambulance access and emergency power systems," the department explained.
Included in the department's plans, each venue has been subjected to stringent health and medical reconnaissance.
The distinctive characteristics of each stadium will have an impact on the level of EMS resources required to minimize response times and the evacuation of anyone in need of medical care.
The medical teams will be strategically positioned throughout each stadium and its precinct and some of the teams will be static, while others patrol on foot or by mini vehicle transport.
"A plan has also been developed to ensure that services are adequate to deal with any incident, whether it is related to a stadium, VIP hotel or any other tournament related event.
"Furthermore, services will be strengthened to service major arterial routes and tourist destinations," said the department.
According to the department, the provinces are currently implementing initiatives to improve service delivery. This includes enhancing ambulance fleets, the establishment of computer aided communications centres and the implementation of aero-medical services.
A public access website has also been created, which will host health promotion information and focus on health information pertinent to tourists.
On the environmental health side, a strategy has been developed to encompass the resultant increased workload from the competition, monitor and control the quality of water supply, sanitation, waste management and food control at all FIFA venues and tourist destinations.
Special measures will be put in place to ensure that all international ports of entry, whether they are land, sea or air, are properly monitored in terms of health related issues.
As the Confederations Cup will be held in the peak of winter, the department will take precautions, especially against influenza.
The department's Communicable Disease Control workgroup has developed a comprehensive plan including factors such as national and international disease surveillance, public awareness information, outbreak indicators and strengthening existing disease outbreak policies and systems.
"The prompt detection of isolated incidents and looming epidemics is essential to enable the health system to respond to incidents in a timely manner, render expert evaluation and containment of the incidents and the swift transportation of patients to the closest appropriate hospital for definitive care when required," the department said.
Hospitals have been identified and categorised as dedicated health facilities for the event.
The department pointed out that although stadiums remain the focal point, the location of tourist destinations and major international ports of entry and tourist high spots also influenced the hospital selection.
Chief Medical Officer for 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee in South Africa, Dr Victor Ramathesele reconfirmed the organisation's satisfaction regarding the level of health medical service.
"As the LOC South Africa, we've been working with the department as far as health medical services is concerned, we are pleased with the level of expertise by government officials in connection with the preparations plan," Dr Ramathesele said.
