IPL 2020: UAE's VPS Healthcare becomes tournament's medical partner

Abu Dhabi - The healthcare group was earlier picked as the official partner to conduct Covid-19 tests

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed the UAE-based VPS Healthcare as the medical partner for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The healthcare group was earlier picked as the official partner to conduct Covid-19 tests.
As the medical partner, the group will be responsible for ensuring end-to-end medical solutions, including comprehensive medical services for players and staff of the eight franchisees, and other IPL stakeholders. It will provide emergency medical support, hospital admissions and treatment, and ambulance support, including air ambulance services.
The group is also facilitating the operation and management of the Covid-19 isolation centres for the IPL in coordination with the health regulatory authorities.
VPS Healthcare has made extensive arrangements in all its facilities across the emirates. A committee of experienced medical professionals, including senior sports medicine specialists, Covid-19 management team and other professionals, has been created in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah to streamline the workflow.
The group's Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi and Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah will serve as exclusive medical centres to cater to the medical requirements of the players, supporting staff and other officials. Burjeel Medical City has a chopper-landing facility.
Dr Shajir Gaffar, CEO of VPS Healthcare (Dubai and northern emirates), said the group is ready to serve the IPL.
"A detailed plan has been chalked out. We will stick to our plan strictly, and ensure the tournament is held in a risk-free environment, and the players, supporting staff, and match officials stay healthy and Covid-19 free till they depart to their home countries after the tournament," Gaffar said.
"We realise the gravitas of the responsibility on us and the challenge of defending a raging virus. But we are fully equipped, and the team is confident and committed to delivering our services efficiently and seamlessly."
The tournament starts with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi on September 19.

• IPL 2019