On the last day of Celestialkarnevalen, Lundagård spoke to chief medical officer Oscar van der Have to hear how he reflects on the carnival weekend. Under the last rays of warm Swedish sun, he looks back on his team’s efforts with pride and contentment.
Oscar van der Have is one of the last people we talk to on the concluding day of the carnival. Earlier, we had found him at the medical tent, more than happy to schedule an interview with us. As karnevalsöverläkare (chief medical officer of the carnival), he has spent the past three days working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all carnivalists and visitors alike.
– So far, I’m very happy with how things have turned out, Oscar says.
The medical team consists of 25 licensed doctors, and 20 licensed nurses. Together, they form small teams that slowly patrol the carnival grounds, ready to provide aid in case of medical emergencies. Major events, like the carnival parade, always have a team of medical staff present to respond to on-site issues in case they arise.
– I think the Karnevalståget yesterday was great fun. The entire team really appreciated being a part of that, lots of joy. It was also quite warm, so we had to work a bit. I also think the concert with Icona Pop was very memorable, we have teams on all of these concerts and large events.
Despite the higher temperatures, the relative heat did not present any unexpected challenges. Oscar notes that some visitors and carnivalists were dehydrated and received medical support.
Preparing for an event as huge as Lundakarnevalen requires close communication with collaborating organizations and medical facilities.
– We are very happy to have good contact with Region Skåne akutmottagning (emergency department of Skåne Region) in Lund, and other institutes in Lundakarnevalen, which aid us if anything is needed. Then, to have prepared the team and allow them to meet each other beforehand to facilitate communication, when working in a new group, is important, Oscar says.
All medical staff at Lundakarnevalen work on a voluntary basis. Aside from the three days of carnival fun, where staff members circulate the grounds in small teams and maintain a medical aid station, the team meets beforehand to prepare for the work they’ll be doing.
– Having been a student in Lund, and having been active in student life, I enjoy coming back to this every fourth year, and all the carnivalistic mayhem taking place. But on another level, I think it’s very, very fun and nice to see when the teamwork really functions well. And I think that’s been the case. When you encounter a problem, it really shows these people are used to managing these situations. That’s very gratifying to see, and that makes my job very easy.
