Second European Games in Belarus

The meeting was also attended by Belarus’ Healthcare Minister Valery Malashko who introduced Pamela Wenning to the medical care structure in the country. It was noted that the Healthcare Ministry has been preparing for the Second European Games for about a year. “We have set up a subcommittee on the provision of medical care during the European Games. Taking into account the EOC recommendations, the medical and pharmacological manuals that were used during the First European Games in Baku have been translated into Russian. Belarusian healthcare professionals have prepared their own manual in the Russian language which will be translated into other languages. The Healthcare Ministry has the joint plans of action with the Emergencies Ministry, the Interior Ministry and other ministries involved in the organization of the Second European Games,” Yelena Savko said.

The work with personnel is seen as an important aspect during the preparation for the European Games. “At the moment we are developing the staffing schedule for every venue. We are also examining the needs in personnel and developing additional training programs for first-aid attendants and volunteers who will work during the European Games 2019,” Yelena Savko noted.

Medical volunteers will be selected out of students of medical schools. Knowledge of the English language will be a must requirement. The ambulance brigades and medical care teams will be assisted by volunteers during the games. The places of residence of participants and officials will be equipped with first-aid stations that will be open 24/7. All in all, around 50 ambulance teams will be deployed on a daily basis during the games. The meeting participants also discussed the epidemiological monitoring of the quality of food and water.

The medical delegate of the European Olympic Committees got familiar with the work of the Minsk City Diagnostic Center, the Emergency Care Hospital. She also visited the Student Village which will accommodate athletes during the Second European Games.