Local residents' medical needs might be over looked during World Cup

Ofentse Mokae
23 May 2010

Not only has the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup brought with it great opportunities for the broader South African community, there have been fears raised over safety issues such as human and child trafficking.

Meanwhile weekend media reports revealed dashing effects the soccer tournament will have for the country.

According to a Sunday publication, the soccer spectacular could leave hundreds of South African patients without hospital care.

The reports say Fifa's guidelines for designated hospitals - which include keeping wards half empty - will result in long-term patients shifted to facilities elsewhere.

The paper says routine referrals to major specialist hospitals have already been curtailed until after the World Cup.

This means that hundreds of patients needing medical attention during the tournament will have to make way for tourists.

The reports further say emergency officials were worried that South Africa’s public health system will not be able to handle a large number of fatalities in the event of a major disaster during the soccer spectacle.

According to the Organising Committee’s medical officer, Dr. Victor Ramathesele, military health personnel will fill any gaps between June and July.