More than 190 medical professionals are completing their final preparations ahead of this weekend's Formula One race in Bahrain.

They will take part in a series of mock drills, live extrication exercises and airlift rescues this week to test their readiness in case of an emergency, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Specialists on duty during the F1 race weekend, which gets underway on Friday, will include experts in neurosurgery, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics and anaesthesia.

Bahrain Motor Federation's chief medical officer Dr Amjad Obaid told the GDN the team of experts has played a key role in the past races held at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, and were ready to host this year's highly anticipated race.

“This year the medical team consists of 190 members of different specialties who are all trained to deal with any emergency cases including trauma management,” he said.

“We will conduct mock drills that include extrication exercises, airlift management and emergency rescue plans on Thursday to prepare ourselves.”

The drills will be monitored by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile - motorsport's governing body.

The F1 medical centre located at BIC will work round-the-clock during the three-day sporting event and has four beds with medical resuscitation equipment, which can be used by trained professionals in case of an emergency.

“Salmaniya Medical Complex and the BDF Hospital will be on standby during the three days of the race,” said Dr Obaid.

Eleven ambulances and medical intervention teams will be available during the race, along with an air ambulance belonging to the BDF Hospital.

“There will be five spectator clinics set up at key locations manned by nurses and medical professionals,” added Dr Obaid.

“The medical team will also be moving around on foot to assist spectators.”

He said the Health Ministry will also have a team stationed at the circuit including food inspectors, who will examine all snacks and meals served to F1 teams, marshals and visitors.

Meanwhile, key members of the F1 medical team, BIC and Bahrain Motor Federation will take part in a workshop today, which will be under the patronage of Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi.

Participants will be briefed on latest developments and emergency plans. The medical team will be supported by a total of 850 race marshals, including 150 medical marshals, 100 recovery marshals and another 150 fire marshals.

The teams of marshals will be present around the circuit, with each group headed by a chief who constantly communicates with heads of other teams.

The GDN earlier reported on one of the latest incidents that required emergency action by Bahraini race marshals, which took place during the fourth round of qualifying for the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship in February.

Bahraini drag racer Khalid Mohammed lost control of his white turbocharged Lexus, which became airborne and smashed into a concrete guardrail before overturning multiple times.

The main race of the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will start at 6pm on Sunday and will see some of the biggest names in motorsport go head to head around 57 laps of the 5.412km BIC track.

Bahrain marks the fourth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship. - TradeArabia News Service