A Ghanaian medical doctor, Dr Joyce Emefa Addo-Klah, has recounted her intervention during a mid-air medical emergency aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight KL 589 from Amsterdam to Accra on 11th December 2024.

Speaking on Joy FM’s News Night, Dr Addo-Klah detailed how she acted swiftly to stabilize a passenger who fell ill during the flight.

“We were about four hours into the flight,” she began, “Accra-bound. We had just had a meal, and I was trying to put my son to sleep when the emergency call came over the PA system, asking for a doctor to attend to an emergency.”

Travelling with her husband, who is also a doctor but a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, and their son, Dr Addo-Klah immediately realized she needed to respond. “I looked at my husband, and he looked at me. Being at the aisle end of the seat, I quickly went to the overhead compartment where I had kept my basic medical equipment.”

She explained that travelling with essential medical tools is a habit she developed after experiencing similar situations she encountered and as a doctor, it is something she is used to. “This is not the first time I’ve been called to handle a patient on a flight,” she added.

Dr Addo-Klah rushed to the passenger’s side and assessed their condition. She credited the cabin crew’s preparedness for aiding her intervention.

“The KLM team had an emergency kit on board with all the essential drugs needed for such situations. That was very helpful.”

Her priority was to remain calm amidst the tension among passengers. “There was a bit of agitation on the flight, but by God’s grace, we were able to bring the situation under control. We moved the patient out of the passengers’ view to the business class area for continuous monitoring.”

Dr Addo-Klah stayed with the passenger, ensuring the passenger's condition remained stable until the plane landed safely in Accra. “Since we’ve touched down, I’ve been in touch with the patient, and I can confidently say the person is stable,” she confirmed.