Medical responses arrangements in place for CWC matches
-- Health Minister
Guyana Chronicle
March 29, 2007
HEALTH Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy is satisfied with public health and medical responses capability and arrangements in place for any eventuality during the mega Cricket World Cup (CWC) event here.
“Everything at the stadium seems picture perfect. Of course my main interest is the health sector. As far as I could tell, there have been no glitches,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ramsammy said seven medical facilities were established at the stadium along with numerous “first responders” in the stands. There is a main medical centre, one for the players, another for the VIPs and three additional medical posts, as well as a mobile facility, he said, adding that there is also a doping room.
“The health posts are fully equipped, with both equipment and medical supplies and are being manned by competent staff.”
The health response would be active on match days as well as days where no matches are being played, since the stadium is being used for practice sessions, Ramsammy said.
Three ambulances, he said, would be at the stadium, while others would be placed at hotels Le Meridien Pegasus and Buddy’s International Hotel, the airport and the practice sites at the Everest Cricket Club and the Bourda Cricket Ground.
There will be about 70 health workers involved in the medical response, while about 30 additional staff are involved in the public health aspect, the minister said.
He said these persons are at the stadium ensuring appropriate and compliant public health practices, while inspections are being done at the concessions selling food and other parts of the stadium.
“The services are in place and we as Guyanese should be proud that we have worked together and caused something this tremendous and impressive to happen,” he said.
However, the minister said, criticisms have been noted but maintained that Guyana has done “extremely well for this first match and it will only get better.”