Dr Nitin Zabak and his wife Dr Neeta Zabak were returning from their vacation in Australia when an inflight announcement prompted them out of their seats and attend to the call for help.
The doctor duo from Kalyan in the western Indian state of Maharashtra offered their services to an Australian woman who had taken ill on a Singapore Airlines flight from Perth to Singapore on April 11.
In an interview with SBS Punjabi, Dr Nitin Zabak confirmed that the 63-year-old patient had lost consciousness and was sweating profusely when they started tending to her.
Dr Nitin Zabak tending to the patient along with the crew members Source: Supplied
“She had suffered hypoxia- a condition that occurs in some people when one ascends to high altitude. We started with chest compressions and also infused her with oxygen as her pulse was quite feeble," said Dr Zabak who is a surgeon based in India, while his wife Neeta is an experienced pediatrician.
"Neeta who has a lot of experience dealing with newborn babies had to insert a special IV line to revive the patient. It was difficult to do so, but she managed it in the first attempt," he added.
Meanwhile, the "concerned" captain of the aircraft reportedly sought the couple's if he needed to make arrangements for an emergency landing.
“Since the patient had somewhat stabilised, a collective decision was made to rule out an emergency landing," the doctor told.
Upon landing, the patient was reportedly rushed to the hospital for further treatment.
ARE COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCIES?
According to guidelines laid out by global aviation regulator, International Air Transport Association (IATA), commercial air flights are required to carry potentially life-saving medical equipment and emergency kits.
In addition, the flight crew is also required to be trained to deal with such emergencies and medical equipment available on board-but that essentially doesn’t mean they can provide serious medical care.
However, policies regarding the contents of the kit, training of the crew and treatment of the passengers are at the discretion of each nation and its airline(s).
Commenting on the availability of onboard equipment, Dr Zabak said he was quite impressed with the scale of equipment and the skill of the crew on board the Singapore Airlines.
“They had a printed emergency protocol which had details of all the contents in the emergency kit which came in very handy. Every time, we’d ask for equipment or medicine, the crew promptly provided us, which was quite impressive,” he added.
The couple’s selfless act was duly rewarded when they received a standing ovation from co-passengers and a token of thanks from the airlines, which gifted them vouchers worth S$200 each for their willingness to help.
Dr Neeta Zabak (centre) posing with Singapore Airlines' flight attendants Source: Supplied
"They did give us vouchers which we haven't redeemed yet, but I'd like to say that there is nothing larger than a life saved," said Dr Zabak.
SBS Punjabi has also reached out to Singapore Airlines for a comment.
