South Africans may pose the biggest problem to healthcare services during the Soccer World Cup, health officials said on Saturday.
Professor Jacque Goosen, head of trauma at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, said violence related to alcohol abuse presented the biggest challenge to healthcare services.
“Community parties during sport events are a problem, not the people within the stadiums,” said Goosen.
Goosen hosted a delegation of health officials, including the deputy minister of Health, Dr Molefi Sesularo on a tour of state hospitals to inspect their readiness for the World Cup on Saturday.
Injuries due to stabbing, shooting, falling from buildings and motor vehicle accidents increased during sporting events, Goosen said.
“Fan parks will be a source of pain,” said Gauteng Health minister Quedani Mahlangu.
Surgeon general of the SA Military Health Services, Dr Vijay Ramlakan, said that satisfying Fifa health services requirements were not an issue, but rather providing adequate healthcare to South Africans injured during parties during the six weeks of the tournament.
Sesularo said earlier at his visit to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, that the hospital was ready to service the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup.
He said the hospital was especially important during these ceremonies because of its proximity to the Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.
Ramlakan said hospital staff would be doubled on match days. – Sapa