Locals are World Cup's biggest health risk

South Africans might have the biggest problem to health care services during the fifa World Cup in accordance with health officials said on Saturday.

Head of Trauma at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital,Professor Jacque Goosen said violence related to alcohol abuse would be the biggest challenge to health care services in coming fifa world cup.

"Community parties during sport events are a problem, not the people within the stadiums," said Goosen.

Goosen arranged a meeting and hosted a delegation on Saturday of health officials, including the Dr. Molefi Sesularo, deputy minister of Health, on a tour of state hospitals for inspecting their readiness and preparation for the World Cup on Saturday.








Injuries because of stabbing, shooting, falling, from buildings, unwanted demonstration of public and motor vehicle accidents might increase during sporting events, Goosen said.

"Fan Parks will be a source of pain," said Gauteng Health MEC, Quedani Mahlangu.

Dr Vijay Ramlakan, surgeon-General of the SA Military Health Services, said that satisfying Fifa health services requirements was not an issue, but rather providing sufficient and adequate health care to South Africans injured among parties during the one and half month of the event.











Sesularo said earlier when visiting to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the Bara hospital was prepared to service the opening and ending ceremonies of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.






He said the hospital was very crucial during these ceremonies because of its closeness to the Soccer City Stadium in Soweto. Ramlakan said hospital staff would be increased doubled on match days.