An open-air courtyard in the middle of the ward building of the international medical department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital is seen in this picture June 25, 2008. [chinadaily.com.cn] |
The IOC and BOCOG have pledged zero-tolerance to doping in this Games. But we have leaned some athletes have failed doping tests only because they mistakenly took medicine containing some banned substances. So when the athletes are treated in hospital, what will you do to prevent this from happening?
First, we have a medical team and special wards solely for the Olympic athletes. Second, we will strictly follow the medicine name list announced by BOCOG which distinguishes applicable medicines, those should be used with caution, and banned ones. All the medicines used in designated hospitals and Olympic sites are from BOCOG-authorized suppliers. In principle, we will use applicable medicines and avoid using banned ones.
If an athlete is in a very serious condition and needs a prescribed medicine that contains banned substances, we must put saving his life first. But before all of that, we must inform the athlete and his team’s doctors and then report it to the medical committee of BOCOG to ask for their advice.
Also, we will ensure the food provided in our hospital is free from harmful substances. We will prepare the food from BOCOG-credited suppliers.
As for medicines, I have noticed that among the 2004 medicines containing perform-enhancing substances listed by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and issued in March, 1,231 of them are Chinese patented medicines. Do you think this large proportion will have negative impact on Chinese medicine?
I don’t think so. On one hand, as I have mentioned, athletes will be a small number of the patients during the Games and those who need prescribed banned drugs will be even fewer; on the other hand, Chinese medicine is an extensive concept as it includes acupuncture and massage, which are definitely safe for athletes. Some volunteers acted as masseurs during the athletics test event in the Bird’s Nest and the athletes commented the Chinese medicine treatment was great.
We have talked a lot about how to serve the athletes, but do you think the Olympic-related work will affected your hospital’s daily service for ordinary residents?
Absolutely not. The daily clinic will be open as usual. But if the daily work for the ordinary residents needs more staff, we will adjust the staff’s shifts and I believe our staff will be ready to dedicate themselves to all our patients.
To contact with the writer: [email protected]
