Quick-thinking SA doctor saves athletes life

Cape Town -  Quick-thinking from a Team South Africa doctor saved the life of an athlete from Botswana at 2016 Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Luanda, Angola on Saturday.

Lucky Mabaka suffered an injury during a judo match and collapsed to the ground. She was immediately assisted by Team South Africa doctor Thulani Ngwenya who rushed to her side and provided medical assistance.

"She had a case of syncope... one of the blood vessels transporting blood to the brain was constricted which caused the blood supply to be compromised. Hence she completely lost it .... but the urgent response really saved her life. Any more time spent without the blood supply being restored and she would have suffered brain death," said Dr Ngwenya.

Mabaka was helped onto the podium to receive her silver medal at the end of the competition.

                                                             Photo's supplied by Wessel Oosthuizen