A 90-MEMBER medical team, including seven ambulances and two helicopters, is preparing to support Bahrain’s premier sporting event, the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022.
Next week, the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) medical team will be put through a series of mock drills and live exercises in preparation for the races at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir which will take place from March 18 to 20.
Specialists on duty during the F1 race weekend will include experts in neurosurgery, plastic surgery, general surgery, orthopaedics, and anaesthesia, Bahrain’s F1 race chief medical officer Dr Amjad Obeid told the GDN.
“This year, the BMF medical team has 90 members, including trained professionals from all fields who are ready to handle emergencies,” he added.
“There will be seven ambulances from the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and the national ambulance team, as well as two helicopters from the Royal Defence Forces, on the track.
“One (helicopter) will be stationed at the track, while the other will be stationed at the base in case any emergency cases need to be transferred.”
The medical centre at the track will be fully equipped and ready to receive any polytrauma or non-clinical patients.
The facility will be equipped with X-rays, ultrasound, medications, and all other necessary equipment to resuscitate and provide critical care to an injured driver, mechanic, team member, or marshal.
“The centre has been assigned 35 doctors from the SMC, including surgeons, anaesthetists, vascular surgeons, orthopaedic and burn surgeons, and emergency physicians will take the lead,” said Dr Obeid.
“The team consists of between 21 and 25 paramedics and technicians.
“The centre will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with personnel on standby to work overnight at the centre as well as with the ambulance team.
“The extrication and intervention teams will cover both pit-lanes with 16 personnel on track and on foot, as well as a medical logistics team and a dedicated pharmacy, led by one of SMC’s certified pharmacists.
“As always, we have two main standby hospitals – the BDF hospital and the SMC – that will be ready to receive any injured driver, mechanic, or team members.”
Bahrain, which hosted the first race in 2004, will host the season opener on March 20 this year, after hosting the first round last year.
It also held two races on two different layouts of its Sakhir track during the Covid-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Dr Obeid added that the team will be adapting “some” Covid-19 regulations in line with the guidelines issued by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the local government.
“As we return to the pre-Covid days, which is a challenge, we are prepared with some modifications that were adopted in accordance with government rules, which will remain in effect.
“The FIA has relaxed the Covid-19 precautions this year, but we must still adhere to the set rules regarding facemasks and are trying to minimise the interruption of social distances – we are awaiting the final guidelines.”
Twelve people tested positive for Covid-19 during the F1 race in Sakhir last year.
On March 17, a mock drill will be held and evaluated by FIA medical delegates. The exercise at the BIC track will include an on-track simulation of an accident in which the team will be tested on technique, timing, and engine handling.
“Bahrain always had one of the best teams in terms of techniques, performance, and timing, and we have some experts on the team who have been with us since 2004,” said Dr Obeid.
Meanwhile, food inspectors from the Public Health Directorate will be inspecting all meals brought into and served at the BIC. “The inspectors will monitor the handling, quality, and preparation of food at the assigned restaurants and teams,” added Dr Obeid.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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