22 May 2014

The defining moment has arrived for Botswana to prove to the world that the country can successfully host big sporting events. An experienced and well equipped medical will be part of the envisaged African Youth Games success.

To that end, the Botswana African Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) has assembled a qualified team of medics around the country to be on standby at all the competition venues.

In an interview, BAYGOC chief medical officer, Basadi Akoonyatse said more than 30 doctors from Ministry of Health, BCL, BOMaid, Debswana, Cheshire foundation, University of Botswana Medical School, University of Botswana Faculty of Health Sciences, Botswana Retired Nurses Association, Botswana Dental Association and Botswana Psychology Association will be dispatched at all competition venues.

Akoonyatse said BOMaid had also come on board through Medical Rescue International (MRI) who have assigned manpower resources and 24 hour ambulance services to venues, games village, games polyclinic and delegate lodgings.

She said BOMaid would also coordinate resources, that is, a 24-hour seat in the call centre with a dedicated coordinating supervisor.

This call centre, according to BOMaid group of companies’ chairperson, Rebecca Mgadla will be operated by multi linguist who will be able to assist English, French, Spanish and Portoguese speaking people.

Akoonyatse said about 100 volunteers would be attached in the medical department to ensure that medical assistance was provided at all times. The manager stated there would be a polyclinic, which will operate on a 24 hour basis.

However, some some services will only be available during the day. She said testing will be done during the games to rule out doping adding they will also run education forums in collaboration with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

She further said there would be health screenings conducted by the Ministry of Health at all entry points to remove any health risks like Ebola.

“We will be providing an array of medical services like Emergency Medical Services, First Aid, paramedics, physiotherapy, nursing, diagnostic (laboratory and imaging), dietetics/sports nutrition, pharmacy/dispensary, psychology/Counseling and dental care,” she said. Ends