17 June 2008
The South Africa 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has appointed the team that will co-ordinate the medical strategy at each of the 10 match venues during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Launching the Medical Advisory and Venue Medical Officers team in Johannesburg last week, Dr Victor Ramathesele, the LOC general medical officer, said the team of medical experts would ensure the involvement of the local healthcare industry and help to implement Fifa and the LOC’s Health and Medical Services Plan.
The overall medical programme, ranging from injury prevention and nutrition consultation to anti-doping activities before and during the events, will be handled by Fifa’s chief medical officer, Professor Jiri Dvorak, in close collaboration with Ramathesele.
Chaired by Martin Schwellnus, a professor at the University of Cape Town and a sports physician at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, the medical advisory team will help formulate policies, protocols and standard operating procedures regarding medical services at various venues and events.
The team will also co-ordinate scientific support, medical education and training for the healthcare providers, including 24-hour availability of specialist and sports medicine services for the participating teams.
It will be supported by Fifa medical officers appointed to co-ordinate medical activities, research and doping control services at each of the 10 match venues around the country.
“These individuals will work in close collaboration with the LOC venue medical officers who are responsible for the management of all medical services at the match venues and host cities, including transfer of patients to accredited hospitals,” said LOC chief executive officer Danny Jordaan.
“The LOC takes great pleasure in welcoming 10 accomplished doctors who will be serving in this capacity for both tournaments and related events.”
The 10 venue medical officers, chosen for their expertise and experience in the areas of research, emergency medicine, mass gathering medicine and sports medicine, will establish, at each stadium, one medical centre for players and match officials and another for Fifa, the LOC and their guests.
In addition, the venue medical officers will work closely with government service providers managing emergency medical posts for spectators and the media in the stadiums. They will also manage the two stretcher teams for the pitch, each comprising a doctor and four paramedics.
Source: City of Johannesburg
