Dr. Ritin Mohindra, a doctor on board an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Delhi, intervened quickly to save the life of a 44-year-old former army soldier. Flight No. 6E 6021 was involved in the incident on Sunday morning after it had departed Kempegowda International Airport at 5:45 a.m. Around forty-five minutes into the trip, the cabin crew announced that a passenger was having a medical emergency and asked any doctor to step forward.
At PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) in Chandigarh, Dr. Mohindra, an assistant professor in the Acute Care and Emergency Medicine Division, answered the phone. Upon approaching the crew, he discovered that the passenger, a guy with diabetes, was suffering from headaches, weakness, and discomfort on the left side of his body. Careful management was necessary because the man’s symptoms suggested that he might have had a stroke. Given his history of diabetes and his use of regular medication, Dr. Mohindra felt that hypoglycemia—a condition in which blood sugar levels fall too low—might be the cause of the problem. Hypoglycemia can cause convulsions, unconsciousness, or even a coma if left untreated.
Immediately, Dr. Mohindra gave the cabin crew instructions to mix sugar with water and serve it to the passenger. Within fifteen minutes, the passenger’s condition started to stabilise as a result of this prompt response. The Mysuru native, who now lives in Bengaluru, felt normal again and was able to continue the flight without any more issues. He was reassured by Dr. Mohindra, who remained with him the rest of the way till the aircraft touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The doctor specifically mentioned the dangers of oral anti-diabetic medications and insulin, which might result in hypoglycemia, and encouraged the patient to consult with his physician again and modify his dosage. Additionally, he underlined how crucial it is to inform diabetes patients about the symptoms of low blood sugar. Even under the most unexpected circumstances, this episode demonstrates the vital importance of prompt medical care and the priceless presence of qualified professionals.
SOURCE :
INDIAN EXPRESS
