By Staff Reporter

The North West Department of Health has activated its Orange Africa Cup of Nation 2013 plans to ensure clean bill of health during the biannual tournament scheduled for 19 January to 10 February. The Health Promotion team is already hard at work with blitz activities in hot spots around Rustenburg. Additional 300 000 Choice condoms have been procured for Rustenburg alone as more people are expected for the games. The condoms will be distributed in hotels and hot spots that may experience influx of people as result of the games. Rustenburg is a Host City.

A total of ninety Emergency Medical Rescue Service personnel together with five medical doctors and seven nurses will man the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on match days. Eight ambulances will operate within the stadium with 12 more ambulances strategically placed in all major routes leading to Rustenburg to ensure swift response during emergencies. Two buses and two quantums will be on standby at the stadium incase of stampede or disaster.

 The department recently added new 19 additional ambulances to its fleet to aggressively respond to the plight of communities and improve the response time during emergencies. This is in addition to 31 ambulance unveiled in June 2012.The Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital is also ready for any emergencies. 

The hospital’s accident and emergency unit with six resuscitation beds was refurbished for 2010 FIFA World Cup. Twelve beds for P2 patients, six beds in short stay ward, five obstetrics and gynaecology beds, five paediatrics and one isolation beds are in place in the emergency unit. Four treatment areas, triage area, counseling, administration and six theatres are also functional.Rustenburg will be home to Group D teams: Togo, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia.