Mangaluru : Akhil S., a young athlete from the Indian Air Force, looked dejected as he was brought to the medial camp from the track. He had to opt out of the second-round heats of the 100 metres in decathlon after he fell on the track with a muscle-pull.

Limping on his right foot, Mr. Akhil was brought by his coach to the medial camp located at the warm-up area for the athletes participating in the National Senior Athletics Championship that commenced today. After 20 minutes of treatment, Akhil was walking normally again.

Mr. Akhil was among the many athletes who turned up at the medical camp run by the district health authorities with the help of doctors from the Government Wenlock Hospital and five private hospitals in the city. Many of the cases were related to sprain and muscle cramps.

It took time for the championship organisers to provide space for the treatment area. Having first provided space at the office of National Anti-Doping Agency near the entrance to the Mangala Stadium, the doctors were asked to move on Thursday afternoon to the warm-up area. There was no electricity connection, chairs or tables for the doctors. After raising the issue with the authorities, the camp got basic facilities on Thursday night.

A team of three doctors from private hospitals — orthopaedist, physician and anaesthetist — will be available in two shifts. They will be assisted by two physiotherapists and two nurses. Doctors and staff of five private hospitals will work at the camp. Department of Health and Family Welfare was providing a doctor, a physiotherapist, four staff nurses and a Group D employee daily. Two doctors, two pharmacists and a few staff nurses are deputed from Wenlock Hospital.

“We are making the best use of the rich treatment resources we have in providing quality treatment for athletes and others at the stadium,” said District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao, who is overseeing work of the camp.