BCCI appoints VPS Healthcare to manage bio bubbles during T20 World Cup

The UAE-based VPS Healthcare, which had successfully managed the bio-bubble during the just concluded 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have reappointed the multinational healthcare group for providing medical services in the ongoing edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Notably, it will be the third time when the VPS Healthcare has been entrusted with the responsibility of handling the medical side of a huge cricket tournament.

With a strength of over 2000 people, which will include as many as 16 teams within the bio-secure environment this time, it is going to be the biggest bio-bubble ever managed during any international cricket tournament held in the past couple of years.

The healthcare group will not only look after the players and support staffs but also their families, broadcast crew, BCCI and ICC officials, staff at the hotel and stadium.

Meanwhile, as per reports, the healthcare group has implemented some stringent protocols to avoid any breach of the bio-secure environment during the showpiece event.

Reports said that for the T20 World Cup, the medical group has created a total of twelve bio-bubbles across nine hotels. While seven bio-bubbles are in Dubai, the remaining five have been set up in Abu Dhabi.

Moreover, the healthcare group will also use Rapid RT-PCR tests in case of any emergency as it would give the test results within a short duration of just 20-30 minutes.

“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,” stated a release.

Throughout the showpiece event, the medical group is expected to conduct more than 20,000 PCR tests. VPS is said to be able in conducting over 2,000 PCR tests per day, with a turnaround time of 6 hours for the results.

VPS will not only secure the bio-bubble but will also provide holistic medical support for the T20 World Cup.

Experienced in offering 360-degree healthcare services for sporting events, it 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.

VPS Healthcare will also be managing the medical services at the stadiums and during practice sessions of the teams and meanwhile, the company has also put doctors at the hotels of the players, support staffs, broadcast crews and other officials to cater to their need in case of any emergency.

Also as the ICC has allowed 70 percent spectators allowed at the venues, the mediacl group has also set up spectator clinics in the various stadiums to look after any emergency case.

Meanwhile, special arrangements have been put in place across VPS’ Burjeel hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah for the immediate treatment of players or other stakeholders.

The release also stated that 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.

News Desk

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