Thousands of runners gathered in the prestigious Tokyo Marathon 2025, demanding optimal medical preparedness. At the forefront of health security, the medical team from Kokushikan University plays an important role in ensuring the safety of participants, including the involvement of dr. Ali Haedar, Sp.EM, KPEC, FAHA, FICEP, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya who is also an emergency specialist at Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, East Java Province.
As part of the Kokushikan University Medical Standby Team, dr. Ali Haedar participated in the medical operation consisting of paramedic students, paramedics, nurses, and doctors. The team was placed at various strategic points along the marathon route, ready to respond to various medical conditions.
“We placed First Aid Teams along the route to provide a quick response to health incidents. In addition, the Mobile First Aid team consisting of paramedics on bicycles allows quick access to areas that are difficult for ambulances to reach,” said Dr. Ali Haedar.
With the Medical Control Room system directly connected to the Tokyo Fire Department, emergency response coordination was effective. “This system allows us to monitor every incident in real-time and ensure that patient transfers to hospitals run smoothly,” he added.
In this event, the main challenge faced was the increase in cases due to high temperatures, including heatstroke and dehydration. In addition, the medical team also managed to handle two cases of cardiac arrest with quick intervention through the use of AEDs. “This success shows the importance of educating the public about the importance of AED accessibility in emergency situations,” said Dr. Ali Haedar.
More than just experience in handling medical cases, the involvement in Tokyo Marathon 2025 provides valuable insights for future improvements. According to Dr. Ali Haedar, several aspects that need to be improved are the inter-unit communication platform, public awareness of hydration and heatstroke prevention, and optimization of medical resource allocation.
Currently, Dr. Ali Haedar is undergoing a Research Fellowship at the Research Institute of Disaster Management and Emergency Medical System, Kokushikan University, Tokyo, while pursuing a Ph.D. in Emergency Medicine at the same university. His experience in major events such as the Tokyo Marathon is an important part of his research in the field of Prehospital Emergency Care and Disaster Medicine.
“We not only provide medical services, but also build a culture of safety and preparedness in every major event. I am proud to be part of Kokushikan University medical team at the Tokyo Marathon 2025,” he concluded.
With active involvement in various international activities, Dr. Ali Haedar not only makes Indonesia proud, but also continues to contribute to the development of the medical emergency system at the global level. (ank/ALH/VQ/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
