OSAKA - More than 100 people a day have been seeking treatment for injuries or health issues at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which marked its third month in operation in mid-July. With sweltering summer heat bearing down on the venue, visitors have been turning to on-site clinics for urgent care.
Medical staff, including doctors and nurses, are working long hours to handle a steady stream of patients suffering from dehydration, falls, and other ailments.
At the West Gate Clinic, located near the western entrance to the Expo grounds, a team of four medical professionals—including emergency specialists—are on standby daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. One recent case involved a woman in her 80s who collapsed while waiting in line for a pavilion. She later told staff she hadn’t been drinking water, unaware of how dehydrated she had become. After resting on a clinic bed for about 20 minutes, she was well enough to rejoin the event.
While the clinics are not equipped with X-rays or diagnostic machines, they have examination rooms and beds. In total, there are three main clinics across the site and five additional first-aid stations staffed by nurses. The facilities collectively respond to around 100 people daily, with one in five requiring a doctor’s consultation.
According to Mizuhashi, a professor overseeing the Expo’s medical services, many cases involve visitors who arrive early and feel unwell while waiting in line. "Some people try to push through discomfort because they've waited so long," he said. Navigating unfamiliar paths and crowded areas can also lead to falls, especially when visitors are distracted.
Heatstroke is one of the most common concerns. Since June, 36 people have been rushed to hospital with suspected heatstroke. The Expo has added more rest areas in an effort to prevent such incidents. "It’s important to take breaks, stay hydrated, and not overexert yourself while viewing the pavilions," said one staff member.
One case involved a one-year-old girl who became unresponsive after repeated vomiting. She had shown signs of lethargy since morning and had barely eaten. A doctor diagnosed her as mildly dehydrated. Her family chose to leave early so she could rest at home.
Another visitor, a woman in her 50s, was brought in with pain in her right shoulder after falling on stairs near a pavilion entrance. A doctor suspected a fracture and advised her to seek further examination at a hospital.
In yet another case, a five-year-old boy who had been swinging his arm while playing dislocated his elbow. The orthopedist on duty quickly recognized the condition—common in young children—and gently maneuvered the joint back into place. After confirming he could move his arm again, the boy was able to continue enjoying the Expo with his family.
Orthopedic specialist Ishiko, who treated the child, noted that the Expo setting calls for a different approach than a typical clinic. "People don’t expect to fall ill or get injured when coming here. So we consider whether they’ll be able to continue enjoying their day before deciding on a course of treatment," he said. "If they leave feeling reassured, that’s what we hope for."
Even amid the excitement of the Expo, unexpected injuries and illnesses can happen. The clinic staff remain on high alert, ready to protect the health and safety of visitors each day.
Source: ABCTVnews
