In a surprising turn of events at the 2023 Lagos Women’s Marathon held on Lagos Island, no fewer than 14 athletes experienced health issues, collapsing during the race and requiring resuscitation.
The revelation was made by Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority ,LASEMA, on Monday.
The marathon, which took place between 7 a.m. and midday on Sunday, saw the LASEMA Response Team ,LRT, and paramedics from the agency’s pre-hospital care unit swiftly attending to the athletes facing various health conditions.
The reported issues ranged from dehydration and hypoglycemia to muscle pull and tiredness due to physical exertion.
Additionally, two athletes experienced a semi-loss of consciousness during the event.
Prompt first aid was administered to all affected athletes, with the two individuals showing signs of semi-loss of consciousness successfully resuscitated.
They were subsequently transported to the General Hospital in Odan, Lagos Island, for further medical care.
Reflecting on the marathon, Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in emergency response, highlighting the need to safeguard the “Golden Hour” for saving lives.
Despite the challenges faced, he attributed the success of the event to proper preparations and the dedicated presence of the LRT and its Pre-Hospital Care Unit, ensuring a swift response to any eventualities.
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