KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee stepped in to assist a passenger experiencing a medical emergency during a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Annuar was onboard a MAS flight from Kuching on Wednesday (Sept 6) when a stewardess made an emergency announcement.
The stewardess urgently requested the presence of any medical personnel or doctors onboard, asking them to identify themselves to a cabin crew member.
“I responded and asked if there was anything I could do to help. The stewardess proceeded to ask if I am a PhD doctor or a medical doctor.
“I informed her I am a medical doctor to which she asked if I could present an identity card to confirm this. I told her we do not have an identity card as a doctor then she asked if I have any card that carries my name as a doctor, so I showed her my credit card with the name ‘Dr Annuar Rapaee’,” he said in a social media post.
Dr Annuar was informed that a fellow passenger was experiencing breathing difficulties due to asthma.
She needed an inhaler or nebulizer and thankfully there was another passenger who brought along an inhaler.
“After a few puffs from the inhaler, she was still having difficulty breathing. Thankfully, the aircraft’s onboard emergency kit was equipped with a nebulizer. After using the nebulizer, the woman no longer experienced breathing difficulty and she felt relief,” he said.
Following this, Dr Annuar disclosed that he had to make four copies of a medical report for the incident, and he was thankful that the woman arrived safely in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
