This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
Published on May 22, 2020, by Francis Mureithi
Dr. Lutomia Mark Lumbasi, a sports medicine physician and vice chairman of the East African Arthroscopy Association, emphasizes the critical role of sports medicine in combating doping in Kenya.
According to Dr. Lumbasi, sports medicine physicians treat a wide range of injuries, including acute injuries such as ankle sprains, joint injuries, dislocations, and non-surgical fractures, as well as overuse injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis.
When asked about doping, Dr. Lumbasi defines it as 'a crime within sports' that involves taking drugs or chemicals to improve performance or physique, giving athletes an unfair advantage in competitions.
He notes that the human body produces chemicals that can be used for doping, and that some of these chemicals can be purified and given to athletes to enhance their performance.
Dr. Lumbasi explains that the effects of doping can be severe and irreversible, including muscle enlargement, bone growth, and heart problems. He also mentions that some athletes may experience psychiatric problems, mood swings, and depression as a result of doping.
When asked about the treatment of doping, Dr. Lumbasi emphasizes the importance of detection, deterrence, rehabilitation, and education. He suggests that athletes, coaches, and the general public need to be educated about the dangers of doping and its consequences.
Dr. Lumbasi also highlights the challenges of treating doping-related injuries, which can be complex and require specialized care. He notes that sports surgeries are highly specialized and expensive, with some procedures costing up to Sh1 million abroad.
He suggests that the government can assist in lowering the cost of treatment by reducing taxes on imported equipment, subsidizing healthcare, and equipping government facilities with video scope surgery machines.
Dr. Lumbasi also emphasizes the need for increased investment in sports medicine, including the training of more doctors specializing in sports medicine. He notes that Kenya is a world leader in sports, and it is essential to have enough doctors to treat its athletes.
As the vice chairman of the East African Arthroscopy Association, Dr. Lumbasi highlights the association's efforts to train young doctors in sports medicine and contribute to the prevention of doping in sports.
He also notes that the first signs of doping in an athlete can be subtle, including sudden changes in body physique, rapidly gaining weight and height, and changing moods and psychiatric problems.
Dr. Lumbasi concludes that doping can have severe consequences for athletes' quality of life after they quit sports, comparing it to a plant that withers when fertilizers are withdrawn.
