Following our successful bid to host the World Cup, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at ensuring that our facilities, medical and emergency services are ready to provide quality health care during the tournament.
The department is confident that the measures put in place will assist us to deal with any disaster which may occur.
Emergency personnel, vehicles and equipments will be available for the duration of the tournament at stadiums, team based camps, training grounds, fan parks.
Communicable disease control unit and the outbreak response team has step up medical surveillance at all ports of entries, intensified health promotional activities and have also strengthened control principles and measures within all health facilities.
In our effort to ensure that these happen, the department has purchased an additional 121 ambulances in the previous financial year and additional 60 ambulances were procured in the current financial year. The department has recruited 321 emergency personnel to ensure that we respond adequately to any eventuality to our pathological services.
Forensic Pathology services (FPS) will provide 24 hour service during the tournament. Four FPS: Diepkloof, Johannesburg, Roodepoort and Pretoria have been designated for mass deaths incidents situations, a total 2500 bodies can acc within our forensic.
In addition to the measures taken, the department has also extended hours of operation at our health facilities. Pharmacies in public hospitals will operate until 10h00 daily and private pharmacies will also have extended trading hours during the tournament.
A total of five hospitals and two community health centres have been earmarked as World Cup referral facilities in case of emergencies. These are: Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic, Helen Joseph, Steve Biko Academic and Tshwane District hospitals. Hillbrow and Lillian Ngoyi Community Health Centres have also been designated.
In addition to the above facilities, hospitals with Folateng wards at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic, Helen Joseph, Pretoria West and Sebokeng hospitals are also 2010 FIFA World Cup referral facilities.
The numbers of port health officers have been increased to ensure a 24 hour service at OR Tambo and Lanseria International Airport. In addition, port health services will also be provided at Waterkloof Airforce base, Rand, grand central, Wonderboom Airports. Additional improvements including two clinics have been established at the two airports and a total of 38 scanner operators have been appointed.
The department has also ensured accreditation of all catering facilities at stadiums, FIFA fan parks, public viewing places and training grounds.
Places of safety for victims of abuse and human trafficking have been identified for use during the World Cup. Social workers will be stationed at casualty clearing match venues along with emergency services personnel to assist with children who may be lost at the venue.
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
10 June 2010
