Wits once again proved to be the institution of choice for expert knowledge and assistance when the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence at Wits, ran a course on medical emergencies in football in Abuja last month. 
The course covered aspects of mass gatherings and disaster medicine, as well as football injuries and medical conditions that could become emergencies, like head injuries and concussion, sudden cardiac death, fractures and dislocations. With an emphasis on practical procedures, the course was held for 40 Nigerian specialists including the medical officers at each of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 host cities, physiotherapists, team doctors and all other medical personnel of premier and second league clubs in the country.
According to FIFA, when it assigns a tournament to a country, it aims to leave a long-lasting legacy from which the local communities can benefit. On 15 May 2004, when members of FIFA's executive committee chose South Africa as hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the idea for the Win in Africa with Africa project first emerged. Boasting a budget of $70 million (about R525 million), Win in Africa with Africa aims to provide the continent with the tools to progress and the skills to continue its own development.
Within the frame of Win in Africa with Africa, three international football competitions have been held in Africa in 2009, prior to the World Cup: The FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 and, of course, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009.
The objective was to introduce the target groups to the issues arising in relation to immediate medical care for teams, officials and spectators at football events and to create an awareness and appreciation of the emergency medical issues around national and international football events and to plan accordingly. The course attendants were also empowered with the basic principles and practice of anticipated medical management issues involved, in and around, stadia during football matches.
FIFA has established independent clinics for emergency assessment and intensive care of critically ill patients staffed and equipped according to the highest international standards at all eight venues. At each venue, this equipment will be handed over to the local organising committee/community/clubs for their use after the closure of the venue.
FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner urged Nigeria to maintain the facilities well and put them to good use. “I plead with all Nigerians to put these facilities to good use and to also make sure that they are well maintained,” said Warner.
This equipment at each venue includes an emergency care cart, a portable full function critical care monitor (for monitoring heart rate, blood pressure and further vital function of critically ill patients); portable ventilator for mechanically ventilating patients who cannot breathe themselves; procedure packs with all material required for first emergency care of patients; syringe driver kits to apply medication into the vein of critically ill patients in a controlled manner; and adequate consumables.
Photos of the mobile clinics can be downloaded from the FIFA Media Channel http://media.FIFA.com or via email: wolfgang.resch@fifa.org