The role of general practitioners in Mass gatherings events
Eman ALI
The World Health Organization defines mass gatherings (MGs) as planned or spontaneous events where the number of attendees could strain the community or country’s resources for planning and response. MGs may pertain to sports, religion, politics, art, or various other activities. In recent decades, the frequency of MGs and the number of participants has increased due to greater population mobility. These gatherings can pose various health hazards that elevate the risk of morbidity and mortality for both the local population and attendees.practice based observations base on preparation and participation of several mass gatherings eventsIt is parctice base study is observational in nature. practice base orientaion. This study aims to delineate the role of General Practitioners (GPs) in ensuring the safety of MGs through activities implemented before, during, and after the event.Before the event, GPs can conduct risk assessments to identify potential health threats, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, injuries, and environmental risks. They can promote a culture of preparedness by contributing to the development of emergency preparedness and response plans, tailored to the event's demographics and context. These can include developing protocols, healthcare access routes, vaccination activities, implementing health education programs, ensuring adequate medical resources are available, and training event staff in basic first aid and emergency response. During the event, GPs can collaborate with local health authorities to enhance event-based and disease-based surveillance of potential health risks and to ensure a prompt response to prevent outbreaks, reduce morbidity and mortality, and mitigate the burden on the health system. After the event, GPs must remain vigilant for potential outbreaks of communicable diseases with long incubation periods (that exceed the MG duration) that may emerge in the local community or among visitors returning home. GPs can participate in post-event evaluations to identify strengths and gaps and inform strategies for future MGs.The involvement of GPs is vital for comprehensive planning to minimize health risks, ensure a swift response to medical emergencies, and foster a safe environment during MGs. They also provide invaluable guidance to travelers attending these events, helping protect both individual health and community well-being.
