- BCCI and ECB has chosen UAE-based VPS Healthcare to continue providing medical services for ICC T20 World Cup
- In twelve bio-bubbles, there will be over 2,200 members including the players
- The healthcare group anticipates to conduct over 20,000 RT-PCR tests throughout the tournament
- A 100-member team of medical professionals from Burjeel hospitals will be in-charge of guarding the bio-bubble
Dubai: After its remarkable success in securing the bio-bubble for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have appointed UAE-based VPS Healthcare to continue providing medical services for the ICC T20 World Cup. This is the third time VPS Healthcare has been entrusted with the responsibility of handling the medical side of a large-scale cricket tournament.
With 16 teams, BCCI and International Cricket Council (ICC) officials, broadcast crew – the T20 World Cup will have more than 2,200 people in the bio-bubble. The healthcare group has designed a fool-proof and comprehensive plan to keep the bio-bubble intact. Its 100-member medical team from Burjeel hospitals will be managing the operations on the ground.
Bio-bubble
With over 2,200 people within the bio-secure environment this time, it is the biggest bio-bubble ever managed during any international cricket tournament held in the last two years. It constitutes players, supporting staff and their families, broadcast crew, BCC and ICC officials, staff at the hotel and stadium, and selected medical personnel.
To avoid any breach into the bio-secure environment, the healthcare group has implemented stringent protocols. This time, the medical group has set up twelve bio-bubbles in nine hotels – seven in Dubai and five in Abu Dhabi.
Distinct from the previous times, VPS Healthcare will also use Rapid RT-PCR tests in case of emergency situations, which will give the test results in 20-30 minutes.
Testing cycle
In contrast to the earlier times, all members within the bio-bubble are vaccinated. Despite that, all will undergo regular RT-PCR tests to uphold the safety measures. The testing protocol for the members in the bio-bubble has been set by the ICC.
Throughout the tournament, VPS Healthcare anticipates conducting over 20,000 PCR tests. It can conduct 2,000 PCR tests each day, with a turnaround time of 6 hours for the results.
Speaking on the elaborate arrangements made, Dr. Shajir Gaffar, CEO of VPS Healthcare (Dubai and Northern Emirates), said: “We are already into the action. Our team is working round-the-clock to ensure services seamlessly and to meet deadlines without any fail. Our previous experiences in conducting the two seasons of IPL are helping us a lot. Our medical team is untiringly working to ensure the safety and well-being of the players. We will be vigilant till the last player exit the UAE safely. We have put in the best plan and will stick to it.
“We are also grateful to the ICC, BCCI, and ECB for keeping the faith in us and entrusting us with greater responsibilities. Also, we should commend the efforts of the UAE leaders and the health regulatory bodies for their successful efforts in containing the pandemic and organizing international events simultaneously. This attests to the efficiency and capability of the healthcare system in the UAE,” he said.
Medical Services
Apart from securing the bio-bubble, VPS Healthcare will provide holistic medical support for the T20 World Cup. Experienced in offering 360-degree healthcare services for sporting events, VPS Healthcare will provide a broad range of services, including emergency medical services, sports medicine support, musculoskeletal imaging, specialist teleconsultation, doctor-on-call, and ambulance/air ambulance support. This time, the group has also deployed doctors at hotels to cater to emergencies.
VPS Healthcare will also be managing the medical services at the stadiums and during practice sessions. With spectators allowed at the venue, the group has set up spectator clinics in the stadiums to cater to emergency cases.
Special arrangements have been made across VPS’ Burjeel hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah to secure treatment for players or other stakeholders. Anybody requiring the air ambulance facility will be taken to Burjeel Medical City, VPS’ quaternary care facility at Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi.
(ENDS)
About VPS Healthcare:
VPS Healthcare has played a key role in revolutionizing the private healthcare sector in the UAE. Since its inception in 2007, the group has grown to become one of the largest healthcare organizations owning and managing 24 hospitals, a network of medical centers, and a retail pharmacy chain. Under the healthcare delivery vertical, the group offers primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services through Burjeel, Medeor, LLH, and Lifecare brands. It also owns and manages LifePharma, the only pharmaceutical production company in the UAE that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
With an enormous workforce of 13,000 personnel from various nationalities across the world, VPS Healthcare operates in GCC countries and India. The radiologist-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil founded the group on the principle of delivering quality and accessible healthcare services to all. VPS Healthcare believes in continuous evolution and keeps upgrading itself in line with the advancement in the healthcare sector internationally. VPS Healthcare is recognized as an industry partner by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It is also a member of the MENA Regional Partnership Community of WEF.
