2 hrs ago
India’s Asian Games Medical Team Manages Care Across Japan
India has a medical team looking after more than 700 people at the Asian Games.
The team is led by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and has six members.
The Indian athletes and officials are staying in different places instead of one athletes’ village.
This makes it harder for doctors to reach everyone quickly.
India brought many medicines and recovery machines, including ice baths and physiotherapy equipment.
The doctors may receive 15 or 16 calls in one day and sometimes work at 2am.
They watch closely for breathing illnesses, muscle pain and injuries.
Medicines must be locked in one central place because of Japanese rules.
If someone needs a hospital, the team must first coordinate with the Asian Games medical committee.
Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala leads a six-member medical team caring for more than 700 Indian athletes and officials.
Because there is no athletes’ village, Indian teams are spread across Nagoya, Aichi and Tokyo.
India brought 450 kilograms of recovery equipment and 120 kilograms of medicines to Japan.
The team handles about 15 or 16 athlete calls daily, including occasional 2am tele-consultations.
Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common illness monitored, followed by aches, pains and injuries.
- Who
- Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and his six-member medical team are caring for more than 700 Indian athletes and officials.
- What
- The team is providing round-the-clock medical care, medicines, tele-consultations and recovery support during the Asian Games.
- Where
- Across Nagoya, Aichi prefecture and Tokyo, Japan.
- When
- During the 2026 Asian Games, with workdays extending past midnight and occasional calls at 2am.
- Why
- Because India’s contingent is spread across multiple locations and has no central athletes’ village.
Key facts
- Medical team
- Six members, including three doctors.
- Contingent supported
- More than 700 Indian athletes and officials.
- Recovery equipment
- 450 kilograms brought to Japan.
- Medicines
- 120 kilograms brought to Japan.
- Daily workload
- About 15 or 16 athlete calls per day.
- Common illness
- Upper respiratory tract infections are reported as the most common ailment.
- Equipment transport cost
- Approximately Rs 50 lakh, according to an Indian Olympic Association official.
Quotes
Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala
India’s chief medical officer at the Asian Games
“As per the prevailing rules, we cannot go there directly. If we have to go to a hospital, we have to inform the Asian Games Central Medical Committee, then they will get the appointment and tell us where to go.”
indianexpress.com
“It’s surprising. You think that it’s going to be injuries and muscle aches. But if you look at every contingent, not just the Indian contingent, the number one illness is upper respiratory tract infection.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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