By SAYGOC Medical Spokesperson
Singapore athlete, Zachary Ryan, 16, felt unwell on Tuesday, 30 June 2009 night and consulted his Team Singapore doctor. Since he complained of flu-like symptoms, his team doctor referred him to the Games Village Medical Centre.
The medical centre doctor diagnosed Zachary with Influenza-like-Illness (ILI), and the decision was made to conduct swab tests on him to check if he was infected with Influenza A (H1N1). He was isolated at the medical centre and two swab tests were taken – one last night, Tuesday, 30 June 2009 and another this morning.
Both Zachary and his father were informed this morning that a clinical decision would be made by the Medical Centre doctor and team doctor whether Zachary is medically fit to participate in the competition since he has ILI.
The result of the tests confirmed that he was not infected with H1N1 at 4.30pm today. Upon the results, the doctors advised Zachary not to engage in a strenuous activity and continue to rest as he has ILI. It was not medically advisable for the Zachary to participate in the competition with ILI.
It was unfortunate that Zachary was unable to participate in the competition. However, the health and safety of the athletes and participants are of paramount importance. We cannot risk or compromise the wellbeing of Zachary and the rest of Games participants. Medical advice always takes precedence over other considerations.
The AYG-MOH medical committee acknowledges that the time taken for the test results was longer than expected. It has reviewed the process and decided, in future, to conduct two tests – Immunofluorescence (IF) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) concurrently. This would enable results be known as early as 3 hours [if the IF confirms that the person does not have Influenza A, and therefore would not be at risk of having Influenza A (H1N1)] or between 6 to 8 hours [If the IF confirms that the person has Influenza A, and therefore there is a need to confirm if it is Influenza A (H1N1)]. We would like to assure everyone that AYG-MOH medical committee is doing its best to ensure the Games is safe.
Related Story:
Zachary Devaraj's 800m hopes crushed after botched H1N1 test causes him to miss race
I sure didn’t like the tone of the response from the medical side as I didn’t detect any empathy.
It’s more like “covering our ass, and don’t blame us” sterile response.
Fully knowing he had a race, where’s the urgency?
The botched medical H1N1 procedure have just cost this kid his running slot.
Hi Sir,
Thank you for letting us know the full picture.
I wish Zach do not give up hope and continue to pursue his dreams.
With parents like you giving him support, the sky is the only limit.
Let him realise his dreams, there are many events coming up. Looking forward to see Zach in YOG.
Firstly lets set the record straight.
1 Zachary Ryan Devaraj is not 16yrs.DOB 07101994. 14+
Do you want me to comment on this inaccurate statement ?.
I should know i am his dad.
2 At no time did Zach report sick or seek medical help from anyone.There was no need for him to.He did his PB( personal best) on saturday and sunday in KL representing singapore with teachers present and with his parents.On Tuesday about
3 hours earlier he came in 6th in 1500m race reserving his best for the 800m heats on Wednesday. Now tell me was he sick ?
Do you know his medical history ?
3 AT 2155 on Tuesday he asked his team manager if panadol would affect his doping test. Usually he has a phobia of getting sinus attack when in air con room and he takes a panadol at times.
Team manager referred him to team doctor who sent him to medical centre. They kept him in isolation and did a swap test. Did he get get panadol from them or any medication or treatment given to him.? We do not know. Only on the next day, at about 1030hrs about 12 hrs after a minor who is only 14+ gets isolated ,does the family gets to be informed. Is this sound medical treatment or management of young athletes? I am not sure why we as a family were kept in the dark of all that happened on tuesday night.Remember i was asked to sign an agreement as he is minor. I should be informed so i could clarify his medical history and assist the doctor and assist to ensure he is comfotable and calm in isolation.
4 A swap that was taken Tuesday night at about 2200 could not be used by the lab in the morning of Wednesday as it dried up. Why was only one swap taken and not three ? NOW 12hrs are wasted. Another swap is taken and surely you would expect this to be a reasonable high priority as it the situation merits. No results are out as the lab had too many other swap test to do.The labs were overwelmed with too many waiting for swap tests.
5 I am not a medical doctor but a father who knows my son’s medical history. He has sinus.
MY SON DID NOT AT ANY TIME IN ISOLATION FOR 19hrs have a high temperature OR to my knowledge display any flu or common cold.
Yes as i explained to the doctor several times on the phone and in person my sons has sinus. Has my son been in contact with any H11N1 contacts or visited such countries ?
The doctor was asked to speed up the test as my son had an event to run.
6.My first concern was my son’s health and the many students and public he was in contact with Tuesday. I stayed at home till about 1250pm because we did want to be safe and quarantine.
But i realised no attepmts was taken to do contact tracing or qurantine others in AYG team in close contact with him. Thus i realised that he was well and we needed the test result to release him.
7 My son has been wrongly isolated on tuesday.
We as family were informed only 12hrs after i had called the medical centre to complain.Why 12 hrs later ?
8 Why results took 19hrs to come out. Was any effort made to give priority for results to come on time ? Was anyone present to visit my son and counsel him or comfort him as he was alone in a room for 19hrs with only his toiletries? 19hrs ordeal preparing to compete.
9 I fully support Medicial concerns will take precedence over everything else .Yet ministers have said life must go on.
10 Lastly the race times were changed and neither my son or me were aware of this. Why organise AYG if there is no fairplay.At any moment the authorites had the discretion to allow my son to race. He might have been able to run if the race sticked to printed time in AYG2009 web.
11 I am very grateful to the many in the Ministry of Health and policemen and several who assisted me to speed up his test results. Sadly there were those in the name of HEALTH CONCERNS who were very into protocols to help a boy who trained 6yrs to run this race. I was present at Games Village from 1pm to about 440pm on a one man operation to get my son to run. I have failed as a father to get my son to run. I have 4 children and also very careful and concerned that H1N1 DOES NOT SPREAD TO OTHERS. SAYGOC CANNOT HIDE BEHIND THIS MEDICAL CONCERN with inefficent and improper mangement.Yes I WAS PRESENT TO SEE FIRST HAND that many things could be done improve the concern for H1N1. I am all for this effort to be extra careful and slow. TELL ME 19HRS FOR SWAP TEST IS REASONABLE
12 In view of all this i do not feel my son who is only 14+ has been treated fairly.My son has a case.Will now the 800m go without my son in it because SAYGOC was a little inexperienced and made so many plunders in my son’s case.
zachary ryan has has a case. Instead of unwarranted statements can we correct the error now. WE CAN SAVE RYAN ! or be part of destroying a budding runner who is innocent through all this.
Friends have a heart ! its the olympics movement with education.Hope we adults can set an example to our youth and do the right thing now.