Athlete Screening Clinic Services
Athletes' screening clinics are an essential part of the healthcare system for athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain, ensuring the health and safety of players before and during their professional sports activities. These clinics provide a range of medical services aimed at assessing the health status of athletes and taking appropriate measures to ensure their safe participation in sports.
The athletes' screening clinics are a vital addition to the sports healthcare system in the Kingdom of Bahrain, playing a pivotal role in the early detection of health issues that may affect athletes' performance and safety, especially considering the unfortunate cases of some athletes dying due to cardiac arrests or sudden death. By monitoring and analyzing the complaints and suggestions raised in this regard, the project to establish specialized clinics for athletes and develop more effective mechanisms for detecting hidden heart diseases or health conditions that may pose a risk to athletes' lives has emerged.
These specialized clinics have enhanced periodic examinations to include more comprehensive assessments of the heart and blood vessels, such as electrocardiograms (ECG) and advanced imaging tests, with a focus on athletes who show abnormal symptoms or have a family history of heart disease. Additionally, a national database can be established to track the health conditions of athletes, helping to identify dangerous health patterns and take appropriate preventive measures.
Thus, athletes' screening clinics will not only contribute to improving sports performance but will also serve as a protective shield safeguarding athletes' lives from unexpected health risks. This will enhance confidence in the sports healthcare system and raise awareness of the importance of regular check-ups within the sports community, positively reflecting on athletic performance and public health.
Establishment of the Clinic and Its Role in Supporting Sports
The establishment and activation of this clinic were initiated under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. His Highness’s vision emphasizes the importance of ensuring athletes' safety on the field and providing a secure sports environment in accordance with the highest global health standards.
Services Provided
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Comprehensive Medical Evaluation:
- Includes a detailed clinical examination, blood tests, and electrocardiograms, all conducted under the supervision of specialized doctors.
- This service is available to all officially registered athletes in Bahraini sports clubs and government sports entities, regardless of age or gender.
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Issuance of Medical Fitness Certificates:
- After completing the examinations, a certificate is issued indicating the athlete's fitness level for professional sports. The athlete is classified as either “fit” or “unfit” for sports participation.
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Procedures for Unfit Athletes:
- If an athlete is found medically unfit, they are informed of the reasons and referred to the appropriate medical entity for further evaluation and necessary medical actions.
Standards and Protocols Followed
The medical examination standards were developed by a specialized medical committee formed for this purpose. The committee has completed its work after approving the current examination protocols. These standards were also developed in collaboration with renowned academic institutions, such as Harvard University (USA), to ensure the implementation of the best global practices in this field.
Scope of Service
The services of these clinics are limited to athletes affiliated with Bahraini sports clubs and government sports entities. The clinic does not provide services to non-Bahraini sports organizations or entities that do not fall under the official umbrella of Bahraini sports authorities.
Application Process for the Fitness Examination for Athletes
Applicants for the fitness examination for athletes can apply at the health center corresponding to their area of residence or by visiting the clinic at government hospitals.
Electronic Services Provided
Sehati App: Registration can be done through the app by selecting the corresponding health center using the personal electronic key to obtain the medical certificate.
