Sporting Doctors

Half-a-kilometer away from the sports campus,a 10-bedded makeshift hospital was set up with three beds kept especially for emergency management. “Around 400 patients were checked and treated,out of which 45 were athletes with minor orthopaedic problems and dehydration,” said Dr Ajay Chandanwale,president of the medical team and dean of B J Medical College. A cardiac ambulance was stationed on campus for any emergency,while five transit ventilators,two electric cars,five pulse O-2 meters,20 folding trolleys and 20 wheel chairs,stretchers and air ambulance were kept ready to provide 24×7 emergency medical services.

Chandanwale said six medical teams worked on the track and in the warm-up areas from 6 am to 10 pm every day. Common muscle injuries,dehydration were anticipated,and there was also the rare possibility of a cardiac emergency. So,they were equipped with different painkiller sprays,oral rehydration solution and life-saving drugs,along with two defibrillators (for cardiac emergency) on the ground. Four well-equipped ambulances were available at the gates of the field.

Apart from on-site treatment,hospitals were also marked area-wise in case the athletes needed to be transported for advanced treatment and management. B J Medical College,Sassoon general Hospital,Sancheti Hospital,Hardikar Hospital,Aditya Birla Hospital,Sai Shree Hospital and Life Point Hospital,as well other hospitals from Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation joined hands to support the medical team for the event. Dr Kalpana Kulkarni,secretary of the medical team,said,“The team was working round the clock to provide the best possible medical care.”

Dr Dilip Kadam,head of the department of medicine at B J Medical College,said that the entire medical management schedule was also decided by them.