A big welcome to everyone to this first posting on “Doctors
corner” exclusively to the Merseyside and Cheshire ABA.
My name is Dr Najib Ahmed and I represent the Northwest of
England on the Medical Commission of the ABA of England. Most of you will know me
from the ringside as Dr Naj.
The postings on Doctors Corner will be regular updates on
medical issues I have noted at the ringside and medical issues concerned with
Amateur Boxing in general.
In this first posting I would like to draw you attention to
2 issues I have noted that I consider very important – The ME1 initial medical
examination form and corner towels.
The ME1 initial medical examination form:
This form consists of 2 parts – the medical and family
history of the boxer (pages 1 and 2) and the medical examination (pages 3 and
4) which is completed by the doctor.
Pages 1 and 2 must be completed prior to the medical
examination – this is a very important part of the form and accuracy is needed.
For all boxers aged under 18 years this part MUST be filled in by the parent or
guardian who must then sign and date the form. Boxers over 18 years can fill
and sign this form themselves but I would strongly recommend that they ask
their parent to look over it to ensure it is filled accurately especially with
regards to the family history.
Coaches therefore cannot fill in this form and sign on the
behalf of the parent or boxer as I note happens all too often – If you do this
you are risking the health and wellbeing of the boxer.
Corner Towels:
Sitting ringside I all too often see coaches using the same
towel between several boxers of their club. This includes having seen a towel
with blood on it from one boxer being used to wipe the face of another boxer.
THIS MUST STOP – you are risking spreading potentially serious blood born
infections from one boxer to another and risking their health. Each boxer
should thus have his own towel in the corner. The rule is simple – ONE TOWEL,
ONE BOXER.
And, of course you can’t use the boxer’s towel to wipe the
canvas either!!