risk factor: Equestrian is one of the events for which scoop stretchers are required

Jamshedpur, Feb. 1: The 34th National Games is just 10 days away, but the medical apparatus here is far from ready.

The medical sub-committee of the National Games Organisation Committee’s (NGOC) local unit has sounded the alarm bell in the absence of scoop stretchers, a vital device required for high-risk events like equestrian, boxing and weightlifting.

S.S. Prasad, chairman of the medical sub-committee, said eventually, the five events slated in the steel city might be held without foolproof medical preparedness.

Prasad, who is also the superintendent of MGM Medical College and Hospital, claimed that about 25 days ago, the medical sub-committee had requisitioned for three scoop stretchers.

“In view of the kinds of events alloted to Jamshedpur, we realised that we would need scoop stretchers. Hence, we lost no time in placing a request for the same. But we are yet to get the special equipment. In fact, we don’t even know whether the scoop stretchers, meant to carry sportspersons sustaining spinal injuries, will be delivered or not,” he said.

“And as far as I know, the equipment is not available in the state,” he added.

Prasad further said as per protocol for major sporting events like the National Games, necessary infrastructure, equipment and accessories ought to be in place before the events are conducted.

“I had raised the matter at all three meetings of the NGOC here, but got no positive response from the authorities,” he added.

A scoop stretcher is a specially designed stretcher that can be smoothly manoeuvred under a patient without moving or lifting him. Further, the centre of the stretcher can be opened to allow the patient to be X-rayed while still being secured on it.

This minimises the risk of complicating existing injuries, especially in serious cases involving spinal or hip injuries.

Prasad, when asked, said they had other medical equipment like wheelchairs, ordinary stretchers and ambulances ready for events like football, equestrian, weightlifting and boxing.