ASTANA – The official foreign medical staff visited the Almaty venues and medical facilities to evaluate the quality of the medical services ahead of next year’s Winter Universiade, reported the Almaty Universiade 2017 press service.
“We have been very impressed both in terms of set up of the facility and the equipment, but also with the clear planning and preparation arrangements aimed at receiving athletes that will be competing during the Universiade. I am quite confident that they will be in safe and expert hands,” said Chief Medical Officer Ajayi Abosede Olugboyinwa.
The visitors were taken to City Clinical Hospital No. 4 and the city’s acute care hospital, noted the press service.
“These facilities provide emergency aid, medical care and high-level and qualitative assistance for the residents of Almaty and the whole country. Medical care is provided in many areas: surgery, traumatology, neurosurgery, gynaecology, urology, therapy, neurology with a stroke unit, toxicology, etc. The hospitals are fitted with modern equipment which allows diagnosing rare diseases and conducting complex operations,” added the press service in a statement released shortly after the visit.
The visitors also had the chance to check out an emergency medical assistance station with an automated system and new ambulance.
“[I’m] most impressed that our athletes will be well adopted here,” said Chief Medical Officer from the United States Ronald Olson, who noted the importance of providing emergency services for the athletes. “The enthusiasm, preparation and facilities are very good. I have no hesitation in reassuring my delegation and others as well. The facility is great and the staff is very qualified and knowledgeable.”
About 40 new ambulances have been purchased, eight of which include intensive care units. Eight city stations will also be available to provide medical care during the Games.
“Our medical services are ready for the Winter Universiade 2017,” said Almaty Health Department head Valikhan Akhmetov. “The rooms in hospitals are fitted with modern equipment. Currently, our medical professionals that will be involved during the Winter Games are taking English classes in order to be able to understand the concerns and provide needed help for the athletes and guests of the city.”
Plans have been outlined to use the services of medical professionals from the Almaty Health Department as well as the Republican Emergency Rescue Squad, State Enterprise Sport Medicine and Recovery Centre, Emergency Medicine Centre, south regional branch of KazAviaSpas and English-speaking volunteers from medical universities.
Ambulant Medical Centre, providing assistance for athletes and accredited representatives (doctors, physicians and other specialists, laboratory diagnostic unit, isolator, pharmacy) and recovery activities (physiotherapy, LFK, massage), will be functioning at the Athletes’ Village, while hospitals will provide unrestricted access to their facilities for urgent cases.
Additional training will be held to provide medical assistance, as well as special training for winter sports rescue personnel suited to work in mountainous areas and educational training for medical personnel on sports medicine and the anti-doping code.
More than 130 medical personnel representatives are currently learning English.
Each venue will have doping control units. In addition, the Universiade’s anti-doping command centre will be located in the Athletes’ Village. The Organising Directorate, together with the FISU (International University Sports Federation) Medical Committee, developed a procedure for holding doping control and distribution plan for athletes’ testing. The doping control procedure will be held in accordance with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards.
