THE Eurovision Song Contest (ESC)Hold in Basel, Switzerland, from May 10 to May 17, 2025, attracted around 50,000 fans of 80 countries.
As the largest music competition in the world, the event drew significant international attention and required meticulous public health planning.
In an interview with El Medico Interactivo, the Basel-City Public Health Department explained how medical services were coordinated during the event.
The Eurovision team has provided clear advice to participants and visitors on how to access medical support, including directorates for emergency services, local pharmacies and health establishments.
According to the Department of Health, emergency medical teams have been deployed in all ESC places, including the main place, Arena Plus, Eurovision villa, Euroclub and Café and Eurovision square. These teams were made up of paramedical paramedics and health professionals trained to ensure that immediate medical aid was available if necessary.
Operational framework
“The concept is simple: the emergency services teams serve as the first point of contact. They provide on -site care whenever possible and help visitors to basic health problems, advising how to manage medical emergencies that may require a visit to the hospital, “said managers of the Basel health service.
In addition, “in the operational organization of the ESC, paramedical services and representatives of the Public Health Department of Basel-City have collaborated to ensure the necessary medical care.”
“The teams use control lists to understand the most suitable hospital for each case. Overall, we have compiled health advice for international visitors to the best way to solve health problems in Basel,” they added.
Health advice for visitors
These health tips include information on where and when to consult medical care and recommendations on what to eat and drink to avoid poisoning, alcohol and drug use and sex safely.
The organizers also warned of the dangers of false news, in particular concerning health problems during the festival. “It is reassuring that, so far, no medical problems due to excessive consumption of alcohol or party drugs has been encountered.”
A key concern in major events is how the arrival of a large number of visitors can affect local health care organizations. The Swiss participants bought the greatest number of tickets, marking that the event had returned to their country for the first time since 1989. Germany ranked second in the sale of tickets, while fans of the United Kingdom, France and Spain ranked among the first five. Spain was the third European country most interested in going to the host city.
In this context, the Ministry of Health stressed that “the additional burden of the health system caused by ESC visitors has been relatively low. We expected to expect and we were prepared for a more important burden. ”
Current medical aid
Regarding the typical work carried out by these specialized medical teams, Basel officials have noted: “One aspect is to provide health services to international customers for health problems they would generally consult their family physicians in their country of origin, such as minor injuries, prescriptions of chronic diseases.”
In this way, “the Ministry of Public Health maintains a daily briefing with the main active care hospitals and operating directors of security organizations such as the police, emergency services and medical emergency call centers) to ensure the flow of information and rationalize procedures.”
In addition, “emphasis is placed on the preparation and strengthening of the health system, guaranteeing awareness and the ability to manage an increase in patients with (serious) injury during the event, similar to what could occur in the case of an accident. For this reason, we are part of a “crisis organization” which will respond if a serious incident. “
However, the reports leading to the grand finale indicate that everything went well. “Fortunately, the event was calm and only the minor cases were discussed. The most common problems concerned injuries requiring medical care, such as cuts, joint sprains or pain drugs for various conditions. ”
This story has been translated from El Medico Interactivo.