Opinion: FKF Should lowers it's demand on Ambulance.

Football Kenya Federation made it a demand for all clubs participating in third tier leagues, National Super League and Kenya Premier League to avail a fully equipped ambulance on match days in case of serious injuries to players,Staff, match officials and even the fans .

The idea was received with mixed reactions more so in the lower tier leagues and has since changed the scope of the league with teams feeling the heat of availing the life saving vehicle .

Since the decision was made,teams in the National Super League and Division One have lost points to visiting teams,clubs have suffered points deduction and some have already been suspended from respective leagues .

In the most recent case, Murang'a Seal and Malindi Progressive FA are waiting for the federation to make a decision on their matches after visiting teams Darajani Gogo FC and Epz Balaji respectively,refused to take to the field since the Ambulance was lacking some vital equipments . The two teams stare at a possible points deduction from the federation if found guilty .

What are the needed equipments in a fully equipped ambulance?

According to Football Kenya Federation ,in an email seen by Ow Sports,a fully equipped ambulance should have the following:

  1. Analgesics (Oral & Injections) 2 Suction Machines
  2. Automated External Defibrillators
  3. Patient Monitors
  4. Oxygen ( minimum 2)
  5. Splints ( rigid & formable)
  6. 2 Spine boards with headlocks and cervical collar)
  7. Qualified Medics 2-4

Ow Sports further contacted hospitals and Ambulance managing firms to establish the price of hiring ambulance on a match day . Basically,the hiring cost ranges between Ksh 40,000 (400 USD) and Ksh 60,000( 600 USD) for a fully equipped ambulance and medics are paid between Ksh 7,000( 70USD ) and Ksh 10,000 ( 100 USD ) .

Types of Ambulance for Sports Events

1.Response Vehicle

2.Ambulances: Individual

3.Collective Ambulances.

All (1,2&3)of them should have basic life Support equipments in case of emergency &

4.Mobile ICU Ambulance

What should be done

In our Kenyan Set up ,with teams already struggling financially it would be practical for division one teams to have a stand by vehicle with hospital notification on standby for teams to be given priority in case of an emergency, Furthermore, division one teams should have a medic defibrillator and first aid .

National Super League teams should have almost all the equipments excluding Suction Machines, Patient Monitors, Splints and have 2-3 medics ,clubs should also notify a near by hospital of on going match and request to be given upper hand when an emergency happens .

For FKF Premier League clubs ,all the needed requirements should be presented before a match starts .