The hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 would be the single largest sporting activity ever held in the Caribbean region. Thousands of visitors are expected in the countries hosting games.

In the case of Grenada, about fifteen thousand persons are anticipated on each of the six days during April 10 to April 20, 2007, when games would be played.

This significant increase in the number of persons visiting our island could result in an increased demand for health services.  Therefore the role of the Health Sector is critical in the overall preparations for the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007.

Host countries of the games are to ensure that adequate and efficient Medical Health and Anti-Doping services are provided for players. Health services will also be provided for officials, spectators and visitors while at the same time maintaining services offered to nationals.

In an effort to meet these requirements, the Ministry of Health has put in place a comprehensive plan to facilitate the efficient and effective delivery of health services. The main areas of focus are staffing, supplies and equipment, service schedules and facilities.

STAFFING

Members of staff at all health facilities have been sensitised and mobilised as to their roles and responsibilities during the period of Cricket World Cup 2007.

To ensure there would be adequate staff to provide services, it was agreed that vacation leave would only be granted to officers with emergencies, or other unavoidable circumstances during the period March 16, 2007 to April 30, 2007.  

Health personnel were involved in various workshops and training seminars to equip them with the relevant information and skills required for the event. Officers have been identified and assigned to specific areas.  Support health professionals are expected from Cuba and some regional countries. A cadre of volunteer nurses most of whom are retirees is being established.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

A wide range of medical supplies, emergency and physiotherapy equipment have been ordered and are being installed. Additional pharmaceuticals and related items are being stocked especially emergency drugs, anti-malarial drugs and vaccines.

Four new ambulances will be added to the existing fleet of seven. Each district will continue to have its own ambulance. Two ambulances will be stationed at the National Stadium during match days.

One ambulance will also be stationed at Progress Park and one at La Sagesse when teams will be conducting their practice sessions.
New equipment has been installed at the Intensive Care Unit of the General Hospital.

Nurses have been trained in the provision of critical care and the unit became fully operational on Wednesday, March 7, 2007.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

The provision of Health Services will continue as usual at the General Hospital, Princess Alice Hospital, and at the various Health Centers and Medical Stations during the period of Cricket World Cup 2007.

However, four of these facilities namely, General Hospital, St. George's Health Centre, Grand Bras Medical Station and Westerhall Medical Station have been designated to provide extended hours of service on the days when practice sessions and competition games would be held.

* At the General Hospital, Out-Patient clinics (e.g. Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics and Internal Medicine) with scheduled days which coincide with the days that the games will be held will be rescheduled to a later date.

Persons with appointments on April 10th, 12th, 14th, 18th & 20th, 2007, are asked to call the General Hospital for another appointment. The Accident and Emergency Unit will continue to provide emergency services on a twenty -four hour basis. Priority will be given to cases requiring emergency surgical procedures.

Patients, who have appointments for elective surgery on the dates stated before, will be rescheduled.

* At the St. George's Health Centre, clinics such as Antenatal, Postnatal, Child Health and the regular District Medical Officers' clinics will not be held on the days of official games.
However a doctor, pharmacist, and an entire nursing staff will be available at the Health Centre from 8:00 a.m. and extending into the late evening to attend to any demand for services. Access to health services will not be denied to anyone.

* At Grand Bras Health Centre, regular clinics scheduled on the days when practice sessions will be conducted at Progress Park will also be rescheduled. Notices will be posted informing the General Public accordingly.

* At Westerhall Medical Station, clinics scheduled on the days when practice sessions will be conducted at the La Sagesse Playing Field will also be rescheduled. Notices will be posted   informing the public; however, St. David's Health Centre will continue to provide services as usual.         

The Ministry of Health seeks the cooperation of the general public especially with the rescheduled clinics at the aforementioned places on the match days.
Health Services are available at the other health stations in the country.  You are always important to us as we provide health services to everyone.

(Submitted by the Ministry of Health)