NOC-K, medical practitioners bodies join fight against doping

NOCK President Paul Tergat (right) and Ag Secretary General NOCK Francis Mutuku during a press conference at NOCK Nairobi office
. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has stepped up efforts to promote clean sport by engaging the medical and health professionals in the country.

NOC-K has partnered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), Kenya Association of Physicians (KAP), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and University of Nairobi (UoN) in conducting sensitisation sessions for Kenyan healthcare providers and medical practitioners with regards to the anti-doping measures currently in place in sports.

The sensitisation sessions are facilitated in conjunction with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), as well as medical doctors working with NOC-K and Athletics Kenya. The purpose is to elaborate the role of medical practitioners in the anti-doping fight.

The medical practitioners' institutions provide the platform to get the information out to a large number of practitioners and continue discussions of everyone's proactive role as we look into ensuring our medical systems support clean athletes.

The first webinar held on Monday brought together about 200 practitioners registered with Kenya Association of Physicians. The second webinar was held yesterday involving medical practitioners and healthcare workers from Kenyatta National Hospital, Ministry of health, County healthcare and University of Nairobi School of Medicine lecturers and students.

The webinars addressed the interest and role of NOC-K in fighting doping. The session facilitated by ADAK looked into the anti-doping measures by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) and ADAK, the Antidoping Regulations, Antidoping Laws in Kenya, WADA Prohibited List and Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The Medical Commission of NOC-K and Athletics Kenya were represented by Dr. George Karanja, Dr. Carole Okoth and Dr. Victor Bargoria, guiding the professionals on their role such as how to deal with an athlete, maintaining appropriate medical records and supporting them in case of TUEs.

More partnerships have been created to intensify the clean sports fight in the country, and ensure that all possible loopholes are being sealed to restore the integrity of the Kenyan sport.