Buriram: Dr. Sasaya Kongsakul, affectionately known as "Dr. Bo," made the selfless decision to abandon her participation in the Buriram Marathon to aid two runners who suffered cardiac arrest during the event. As a participant in the half-marathon, held on Saturday evening, January 24th, Dr. Bo's initial goal was to assist a friend in achieving a personal best. However, with about 4 kilometers left in the race, her plans changed drastically as she responded to the medical emergencies.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Bo, leveraging her medical expertise, immediately performed CPR on the first runner and accompanied the ambulance to ensure the individual received appropriate medical care. Her timely intervention was crucial, and she expressed relief when the runner's heart began to beat again.
While returning in the ambulance after assisting the first case, another incident of cardiac arrest was reported involving a second runner. Dr. Bo, alongside the nursing team, promptly responded and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to revive the second runner. The patient was successfully stabilized and transferred to Buriram Hospital for further medical attention. Following these critical interventions, Dr. Bo decided to withdraw from the marathon, prioritizing the runners' health over her race completion.
Dr. Bo emphasized that although she did not complete the marathon, her actions were aligned with her responsibilities as a medical professional. She expressed pride in fulfilling her duty and commended the preparedness and swift response of the emergency team. The well-equipped ambulance and organized system were pivotal in enhancing the survival and recovery prospects for the affected runners.