Valuable Experience as Volunteers and Medical Standby Team

6 and 28 April 2019 were important dates for participants from IMU Emergency Medicine Society (EMS) as we participated in the Inspire I-Talent Sport Development Programme for PARA athletes. Inspire I-talent is a selection programme to identify potential PARA athletes in Negeri Seremban for upcoming competitions. PARA athletes are individuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, visual impairment, intellectual and mobility disabilities as well as amputees who participate in sports event.

This event was organised by Jabatan Belia dan Sukan Negeri Sembilan Negeri Sembilan at two different venues namely the track and field in Kompleks Belia dan Sukan (KOMBES) and at Aquatic Centre- both in Paroi, Negeri Sembilan.

We were given the opportunity to be part of the medical standby team for the event – guided by Dr Rosdara Masayuni – IMU Emergency Medicine Lecturer. Medical standby is crucial in an event such as this as injuries among PARA athletes would need urgent medical attention.

The event started with registration and a pre-event briefing session for the PARA athletes, followed by a series of assessments for the PARA-athlete which include anthropometric measurements, balancing, power testing (seated shot put and long jump), sprinting and running test. We helped as volunteers in the smooth running of the assessment processes.

Concurrently, Dr Rosdara gave a talk on medical standby which made us realise the importance of early usage of automated external defibrillator (AED) in a cardiac arrest patient. We were also taught regarding early resuscitation/CPR commencement and pre-hospital care management in handling cases that needed urgent medical attention. Demonstrations and practical sessions were jointly conducted by KBS Representative, En Khairy and Negeri Sembilan Swimming Team Manager, Puan Salwani.

At the end of the event, the participants felt more confident to act competently as a team member in a medical standby team. Besides that, the spirit of volunteerism was instilled among the medical students. Hands-on experience on first aid management and pre-hospital care has given us the most exciting learning experience. In addition, we, as EMS members, had built a strong relationship with Jabatan Belia dan Sukan Negeri Sembilan and we are looking for more opportunities in future collaboration with Jabatan Belia dan Sukan Negeri Sembilan.