Babina doc stabilises passenger mid-air

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Apr 2 : Demonstrating exceptional duty, a Manipur-based critical care specialist helped avert a potential mid-air crisis aboard an Air India flight from Tokyo to New Delhi on February 28, 2026 by stabilising a young passenger in distress.
The potentially serious mid-air medical emergency was successfully managed aboard the flight, thanks to the timely intervention of an onboard critical care specialist Dr Loni Liriina of the American Oncology Institute, at Babina Specialty Hospital, Imphal.
Dr Loni, a critical care physician, was among the passengers on Flight AI357 when the incident occurred approximately eight hours into the journey.
With nearly two hours remaining before landing in New Delhi, the cabin crew announced a medical emergency and requested assistance from any qualified medical professionals on board.
Responding promptly, Dr Loni, along with a junior doctor of foreign Nationality, attended to a 21-year-old passenger who complained of severe chest pain and breathlessness.
The patient reportedly had a history of childhood asthma but had not been on medication for several years.
Upon examination, the patient was found to have a heart rate exceeding 160 beats per minute, low blood pressure (90/60 mmHg), and oxygen saturation levels of 80 per cent on room air—indicating a severe respiratory distress episode.
Diagnosing the condition as an acute asthma attack, Dr Loni administered emergency treatment using the limited medical resources available on board, including oxygen support, nebulization, and necessary medication.
The patient’s condition stabilized within 30 minutes of observation.
Due to the effective and timely intervention, the flight was able to continue its scheduled journey without requiring an emergency landing.
Dr Loni stated that in-flight medical emergencies are not uncommon, occurring roughly once in every 600 flights, and often rely on the presence of medically trained passengers for immediate care.
Experts noted that prompt response and basic medical intervention can often prevent the need for costly and disruptive emergency diversions.
The flight landed safely in New Delhi, with the passenger reported to be in stable condition upon arrival. Dr Loni is from Senapati and she currently works at the American Oncology Institute, at Babina Specialty Hospital, Imphal.