MEDICAL SERVICES GET BOOSTER DOSE FOR ASIAN GAMES by Fardah

Jakarta, May 29, 2018 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has sought to breathe new life into medical services in preparation for the 18th Asian Games, to be held from August 18 to September 2, and the Third Asian Para Games from October 6 to 13.

         The Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra Province, while the Asian Para Games will be in Jakarta, mainly at the Bung Karno Sport Stadium.

         Some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 Asian countries will participate in the Asian Games. At least 3,500 media representatives are expected to cover the Games. And providing all of them world class medical facilities is daunting.

         Around 3,000 differently abled athletes and 1,000 officials from 43 Asian countries will participate in the Asian Para Games.

         The Indonesian contingent at the Asian Games could reach 1,500 as the host will take part in all events. Indonesia's target is to place in the top ten at the Asian Games, according to the Youth and Sports
Affairs Minister, Imam Nahrawi.

         The Indonesian authorities have ensured tight security measures that will meet international standards during the largest sport event in Asia.

         Besides security, the government has also pledged to provide optimum medical services during the Games.

         Kartini Rustandi, Director in the Ministry of Health, stated that since 2017, the ministry had been conducting workshops to select and train medical personnel to provide services during the 2018 Asian Games.

         The ministry had roped in various professional organisations --   Indonesian Doctors Association, Indonesian National Nurses Association, Indonesian Association of Emergency Doctors, and Association of Specialist Doctors of Sports Medicine -- to develop an emergency training module for the sports event.

         "It is the first time that we will implement the special standards to enable the medical personnel to handle emergency conditions during the event," said Rustandi.

         A total of 1,400 medical personnel -- 407 doctors, 813 nurses, and 180 physiotherapists -- will be deployed during the Asian Games. These medical personnel include directors of hospitals, health officers, and personnel from the Indonesian Military.

         "Every medical personnel will be given the same training for the sports event. They will become assets for the handling of health services in other sports arenas too," Rustandi said.

         The Health Ministry would also deploy 25 ambulances equipped with devices for emergency services, Dr Bobi Prabowo, chairman of the Indonesian Association of Medical Emergency Specialists, said recently.

         "The ambulances will be equipped with ventilators, monitor, defibrillator, and oxygen supply, so emergency help could be given immediately," he said.

         The height of the ambulances was two meters so paramedics could provide CPR without a problem. Each ambulance would have one doctor and two nurses.

         The ambulances would be deployed in areas where high risk sports such as football, martial arts, cycling and marathons would be held.

         The public could also call the Public Safety Centre at 119 when they needed an ambulance.    
    Earlier, the Health Minister, Nila F Moeloek, noted that the special training was needed to strengthen the competence of medical staff during medical emergencies.

         The Health Ministry is also in charge of food safety, monitoring the supply at the venues, the athletes homes, and restaurants. It will also ensure clean water supply at these places.

         A total of 98 medical posts, 21 medical centres, 2 polyclinics, and 21 referral hospitals have been readied.

         The minister has called on the health personnel to work professionally and optimally, as they have been tasked with handling athletes. "If not managed optimally, disability and death can result. This will affect the credibility of the host country," she stated. ***4***
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 29-05-2018