Dr. Ahmed Abdulmalik

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11: Dr. Ahmed Abdulmalik, a family medicine consultant, has labeled the decision to prevent water from entering Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium during the Kuwait-Iraq match as not just a mistake but a "medical crime."

Dr. Abdulmalik explained that in hot and humid conditions, the body loses fluids rapidly through sweating, often without the person realizing it. Given that the match was held in such extreme weather and lasted for an extended period, with many spectators arriving up to three hours early, the impact of dehydration is a serious concern. He emphasized that dehydration is particularly dangerous for the health of individuals, including children, the elderly, and those with kidney issues. This situation highlights the need for better management and preventive measures to avoid severe health consequences or even fatalities.

Dr. Abdulmalik noted that the temperature around 9 p.m. during the match was between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius. He criticized the Football Association for what he termed a significant medical oversight and urged that such issues be addressed to prevent future occurrences