The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have appointed UAE-based VPS Healthcare to provide medical services for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. The UAE-based health group will be the healthcare partner for the tournament, monitoring the Covid-19 RT-PCR testing.
The mega event will have more than 2,200 people in the bio-bubble, which will include 16 participating teams, BCCI members, ICC officials and the broadcast crew. The healthcare group has designed a fool-proof and comprehensive plan to keep the bio-bubble intact. A 100-member medical team from Burjeel hospital will be responsible for 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 since the pandemic started. It constitutes players, supporting staff and their families, broadcast crew, BCCI and ICC officials, hotel staff and stadium staff, and selected medical personnel.
To avoid any breach into the bio-secure environment, the healthcare group has implemented stringent protocols. 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, agency will also use Rapid RT-PCR tests in case of emergency situations, which will provide the test results within 20-30 minutes.
Testing cycle
In contrast to the earlier times, all members within the bio-bubble are vaccinated. However, people will still 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, agency anticipates conducting over 20,000 RT-PCR tests. It is capable of conducting 2,000 RT-PCR tests a day, with a turnaround time of six hours for the results.
Speaking on the elaborate arrangements 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 tirelessly 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.”
