Dr. Liriina, assisted by a junior doctor of foreign nationality, examined the passenger
Digital Desk: A timely intervention by a doctor from Manipur saved the life of a 21-year-old passenger who suffered severe chest pain and breathlessness aboard an Air India Tokyo–Delhi flight on 28h February , 2026.
Dr. Loni Liriina, a resident of Senapati and a critical care physician at the American Oncology Institute at Babina Speciality Hospital in Imphal, was among the passengers on Flight AI357 when the medical emergency occurred around eight hours into the journey.
With nearly two hours remaining before landing in New Delhi, the cabin crew announced an onboard medical emergency and requested assistance from qualified professionals.
Responding immediately, Dr. Liriina, assisted by a junior doctor of foreign nationality, examined the passenger, who had a history of childhood asthma but had not been on medication for several years. The patient was found to have a heart rate exceeding 160 beats per minute, low blood pressure (90/60 mmHg), and oxygen saturation of 80% on room air, indicating severe respiratory distress.
Diagnosing the condition as an acute asthma attack, Dr. Liriina administered emergency treatment using the limited resources available on board, including oxygen support, nebulisation, and essential medication.
The doctors managed to stabilise the patient within 30 minutes, averting a potentially life-threatening situation and allowing the flight to continue safely to its destination.
Dr. Liriina later noted that in-flight medical emergencies are relatively common, occurring roughly once in every 600 flights, and often depend on the presence of medically trained passengers for immediate care. Experts emphasised that prompt response and basic medical intervention can prevent the need for costly and disruptive emergency diversions.
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