Staff Reporter.
Deputy minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has been applauded after saving the life of a fellow passenger who experienced health complications aboard a flight.
Dhlomo was on a flight from Durban to Cape Town on Monday when a passenger alerted him to a female traveller who was in need of emergency medical assistance from anyone with a medical background.
“I was alerted by a passenger seated behind me in the plane that the cabin crew were asking for medical assistance to assist a passenger who was not well, and I had to quickly move from my seat to the seat next to the passenger and attended her,” Dhlomo said.
As a trained medical doctor, he said he first had to check the vital signs in order to detect any medical problems.
“Thanks to fellow passengers and the flight attendants who provided the medical kit and oxygen to enable me to stabilise the patient throughout the journey, “Dhlomo said.
When the pilots were talking about the possibility of diverting the flight, Dhlomo assured the crew that he could manage the situation until the scheduled destination.
He then handed over the patient to the paramedic team who had been waiting for the flight to land at Cape Town International Airport.