Dr. Joyce Emefa Addo-Klah, a Ghanaian physician, has described how she intervened during a medical emergency that occurred in midair on December 11, 2024, aboard KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight KL 589 from Amsterdam to Accra. Dr. Addo-Klah described how she quickly stabilized a passenger who became ill during the flight in an interview with Joy FM's News Night. She started by saying, "We were approximately four hours into the flight, and we were headed to Accra. We had just finished eating, and I was attempting to put my baby to sleep when the PA system announced an emergency call for a doctor to respond to a medical situation.
Dr. Addo-Klah knew she had to react right away while traveling with her husband, a physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, and their kid. "My spouse looked at me after I looked at him. I hurried to the overhead compartment, where I had stored my basic medical supplies, as I was seated at the aisle end.
As a doctor, she explained, she is accustomed to traveling with necessary medical equipment, which she formed as a habit after encountering similar circumstances. "I've been called to handle a patient on a flight before," she continued. After racing to the passenger's side, Dr. Addo-Klah evaluated their condition. She attributed her intervention to the cabin crew's readiness. The KLM crew had an emergency bag with all the necessary medications for such circumstances. That was really beneficial.


Keeping her composure in the face of passenger stress was her top priority. The flight had some agitation, but we managed to calm things down with God's help. We relocated the patient to the business class section so that they could be continuously observed. Until the plane made a safe landing in Accra, Dr. Addo-Klah waited with the passenger to make sure their health stayed stable. "I've been in contact with the patient since we landed, and I can say with confidence that the person is stable," she said.

Source: Adomonline.com