BAHRAIN's medical team is fully equipped to care for young athletes in the International Children's Games (ICG), with the start of the first string of competitions, a top official said yesterday.
An emergency plan has been devised to ensure the safety of all participants in the games, said ICG Medical Committee head Ma'moon Al Khatib.
"The first thing we did was set up a 24-hour clinic at Bahrain University," he told the GDN.
The young athletes are currently being hosted by the General Organisation for Youth and Sports (Goys) at the university's Sakhir campus, where classrooms have been transformed into sleeping chambers.
A physician, nurse, paramedic and ambulance are stationed at the clinic round the clock, said Mr Al Khatib.
The committee has also arranged with the Health Ministry to have four more ambulances at various locations besides the one at the campus, he added.
"There will be one ambulance stationed at Al Reef Club where football games are taking place and another ambulance stationed at the Bahrain Sailing Club for the sailing matches," said Mr Al Khatib, who is also Goys Sports Medical Unit head.
"Two more ambulances will also be immediately available if there are any injuries to the athletes."
Ten physiotherapists from the medical unit and four paramedics from the ministry were also selected to be part of the team.
The paramedics are stationed at sports that are deemed to have a higher possibility an injury, including sailing, swimming and football as well as track and field, said Mr Al Khatib.
"To help combat the heat, the ministry has provided sports drinks that help re-hydrate the competitors as well as replace minerals and vitamins lost during sweating," he said.
The handball and football matches include two physiotherapists each because there is a higher chance of injuries that could be dealt with on-site, said Mr Al Khatib.
"All of our physiotherapists chosen are the most qualified and have at least 15 years of experience in the sports field," he said.
Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) has also been notified of the event and of the possibility that athletes might need treatment.
"Anyone whose injury needs hospital attention will be taken to the SMC," said Mr Al Khatib.
So far only one case needed to be taken to the SMC, he added.
The GDN reported on Tuesday that Swiss volleyball team captain Sarah Zerika suffered a serious injury to her right knee during practice at the Riffa Views Sports hall.
The injury has taken her out of the competition for the second year in a row, as she had hurt her left knee before in ICG 2009 in Athens.
Other injuries or problems have been mild so far, said Mr Al Khattib.
"The university clinic has reported six mild cases of flu and stomach pain, while there were five minor injuries to handball players and three to volleyball players that were dealt with on site," he said.
"As specialists, we believe that children are less susceptible to having underlying illnesses because they are young, fit and athletic.
"We really hope that there are no serious injuries and that all go well.
"We want our guests to enjoy their experience as much as possible and this is why we are working round-the-clock."
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