Prague's health services prepare for Seattle-style riots

With fears that Prague could be transformed into a battle ground as up to 50 000 anti-globalisation protesters, as well as 18 000 delegates, descend on the city ahead of next week's International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings, health workers are gearing up for the expected increased demand on medical services.

Accepting that medical services will be more stretched, emergency plans have been updated, annual leave has been cancelled, routine operations have been postponed, and hospital beds have been set aside at the city's state hospitals.

Jaromir Moravek, spokesman for Prague's Motol Teaching Hospital, told the BMJ: “We expect to be much busier than normal. Every hospital department will set aside at least two …