Welcare Hospital, Dubai’s premier multi-specialty, critical care private hospital, will provide comprehensive healthcare to the more than 2,000 athletes from 16 teams competing at this year’s Dubai Rugby Sevens, the opening round of the IRB Sevens World Series.
For the eighth years in a row, Welcare doctors, nurses and support staff will be on the field and on the sidelines working with both professional and amateur athletes to help them prepare for their games and treat any injuries occurring during play.
“The Rugby Sevens has enjoyed tremendous growth since its inception and now holds a place as one of the biggest sporting events in Dubai’s very busy calendar. We look forward to the Rugby Sevens weekend as an exciting logistical challenge and opportunity for our world-class health professionals to provide holistic care using cutting-edge treatments and facilities to players from all over the world,” said Michael Stroud, CEO of Welcare Hospital.
The Welcare Rugby Sevens staff of more than 60 people provide pre-play fitness checkups for amateurs, pre-game taping services for all players and sideline and on-field acute care supported by surgical facilities at the hospital.
“The experience that we have gained over the many years we have looked after the Sevens means that we are more and more efficient, particularly at treating athletes and getting them back to play very quickly,” Stroud added.
Welcare uses its experience at the Rugby Sevens not only to improve care during the weekend and to its own patients, but more broadly by conducting an analysis following each year’s event and sending concerned parties a report detailing the most common rugby-related injuries.
Dr. John George, Specialist in the Sports Medicine Department, said that 60-70% of all injuries in 2004 occurred during the second half of play, “likely a result of extra exertion and the generally higher level of exhaustion. About 70% of injuries involved strains and ligament sprains, while another 10% were fractures and dislocations.”
“Amateurs injure more often, probably because their bodies aren’t in as good physical condition as the pros and because they aren’t as skilled at falling, tackling, etc. However, when professionals do get injured, it tends to be more serious – a result of their stronger, more powerful bodies and more aggressive level of play,” Dr. George added.
The Sports Medicine Department has more than two dozen staff, including five experienced orthopedic surgeons, eight physical therapists and 15 other staff that handle acute, chronic and overuse injuries in a holistic setting that allows patients to get back on the track, field or pitch as soon as possible.
Welcare Hospital, a part of Welcare World Health Systems, is one of the UAE’s leading private hospitals, offering international calibre, multi-specialty healthcare in a caring and friendly environment. The 120-bed facility in Dubai offers more than 14 specialized departments, including cardiology, oncology, maternity, urology, endocrinology, nephrology, gastroenterology and pulmonology.
Combining Eastern hospitality with Western expertise, Welcare is committed to holistic patient care that ensures a concerned and caring bedside manner from all who interact with the patient and evidence-based medicine that means diagnosis and treatment is focused on each patient’s individual symptoms, responses and needs.
Welcare World Health Systems, the healthcare consultancy and management arm of the Dubai-based Varkey Group, manages Welcare Hospital, Welcare Ambulatory Care Center and Emirates Diagnostic Clinic. Welcare World is developing several other facilities and initiatives, both within the UAE and regionally, including the 210-bed City Hospital and the 150-bed Creek Hospital Dubai, both in Dubai Healthcare City.
