Polokwane - Moves are afoot to set up a medical operation centre at Limpopo's Department of Health to assist with any incidences that might arise at the Peter Mokaba Stadium during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Departmental spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the centre at the provincial offices will be linked to the stadium whenever the matches are being played.
The centre will have a telephone line, two-way radio, television, laptop, emergency lighting system, fire extinguishers, and first-aid equipment.
The Limpopo Provincial 2010 FIFA Health Committee is pleased with moves to set up the centre as well as progress made towards the final preparations for the event.
The Committee, which met at the weekend, confirmed that Polokwane, Mankweng Hospital Complex, Lebowakgomo, Mokopane, Seshego, and Polokwane - Medi Clinic Hospital were ready for the World Cup.
Key facilities at these hospitals such as theatre operations, trauma centres and intensive care units have gone through an intensive checking process and will be ready to handle any casualty during the event.
Makgotho said mobile services have been arranged for the tournament which include eight emergency response vehicles to be stationed at the stadium and fan parks; five disaster busses; five rescue vehicles; one helicopter (for aero medical services) and five mobile intensive care units.
Two of the five buses have already arrived and the remaining three will be ready in April.
It is expected that the 548 posts for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officers will be filled before the commencement of the tournament in June.
At the moment, there are about 1 500 EMS personnel who will be working during the World Cup.
The teams that will play at the state-of-the-art Peter Mokaba Stadium are Algeria, Slovenia, France, Mexico, Greece, Argentina, Paraguay and New Zealand.
