Manipur doc averts mid-air medical emergency on Tokyo-Delhi flight

Imphal: A potentially serious mid-air medical emergency was successfully managed aboard an Air India flight travelling from Tokyo to New Delhi, thanks to the timely intervention of an onboard critical care specialist, Dr Loni Liriina from Manipur.

Liriina, a critical care physician of the American Oncology Institute at Babina Speciality Hospital, Imphal, was among the passengers on Flight AI357 when the incident occurred approximately eight hours into the journey on Feb 28 this year, a statement from the institute said on Thursday.

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, Liriina, 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% on room air — indicating a severe respiratory distress episode.

Diagnosing the condition as an acute asthma attack, Liriina administered emergency treatment using the limited medical resources available on board, including oxygen support, nebulisation, and necessary medication. The patient’s condition stabilised 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.

Liriina said 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 note 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.

Liriina is from Senapati district of Manipur, currently working at the American Oncology Institute, at Babina Speciality Hospital, Imphal.