Is there a doctor on board? This announcement sends a wave of distress through everyone on a plane when it is thousands of miles in the air. At this critical moment, emergency medical services become an absolute lifesaver. This is exactly what occurred during a Delta Airlines flight from Kotoka International Airport to JFK Airport. Thankfully, a Specialist Emergency Physician stepped up to the challenge and provided crucial assistance, ultimately helping to save a man whose heart had stopped beating due to cardiac arrest.
This encouraging story was shared by Dr Enoch Opoku Afriyie on his LinkedIn page. Read the narrative below:
Two weeks ago, while flying on a Delta Airlines flight from Kotoka International Airport, Accra, to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, an announcement called for any medical doctor on board due to a medical emergency. At that moment, we were about four hours into our 11-hour journey, over the Atlantic Ocean.
I volunteered to help as an Emergency Physician. Upon reaching the passenger’s seat, I found an elderly man unresponsive with vomitus on his jacket. A nurse and a pediatrician also stepped up to assist. The passenger had no carotid pulse and was not breathing, indicating cardiac arrest. I assumed the role of team leader and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
We requested oxygen, an automated external defibrillator (AED), a sphygmomanometer, and the emergency medical kit.
After about five minutes of CPR, we achieved a return of spontaneous circulation, and the patient regained consciousness with stable vital signs. We coordinated with the airline’s medical team and continuously monitored the patient, providing oxygen via a non-rebreather mask, until we landed at JFK Airport.
Upon arrival, the patient was transported by paramedics to a hospital in New York for further treatment.
I am grateful to have been part of a team that saved a fellow passenger’s life mid-flight.
Thank you to my colleagues for their swift and skilled assistance.
Thank you, Delta Airlines, for having the necessary medical equipment on board and for the support from your medical team.
About the doctor who rose to the occasion:
Enoch Opoku Afriyie, MD, MPH, is a distinguished Specialist Emergency Medicine Physician , currently an MPH candidate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, hailing from Kumasi, Ghana. With a fervent dedication to trauma care and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), he has amassed over a decade of invaluable experience in both rural and urban healthcare settings, focusing particularly on enhancing emergency medical services in resource-limited areas across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Enoch’s academic journey commenced at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) in 2013 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. He continued his education at KNUST, obtaining a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Planning and Management. His MPH studies equipped him with expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, and health systems management, laying a robust foundation for his career in public health and emergency medicine.
Passionate about advancing his clinical skills, Enoch pursued a Membership in Emergency Medicine Faculty from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) in collaboration with the University of Michigan Global Emergency Medicine Program. This training enriched his clinical acumen and leadership abilities, preparing him for pivotal roles in emergency care.
Enoch’s professional journey is marked by significant roles at prominent healthcare institutions. He currently serves as a Specialist Emergency Medicine Physician at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, where he delivers specialized emergency health services, conducts clinical research, and supervises medical personnel. His leadership was instrumental in establishing the Emergency Department at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Offinso-South, where he also led the COVID-19 Response Team during his tenure.
As an ardent advocate for medical education and research, Enoch has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring medical professionals. He has organized professional development courses and played a key role in the formation of the Emergency Medicine Society of Ghana (EMSOG). His research contributions include a notable study on the patterns of road traffic accident injuries in Kumasi, underscoring his commitment to evidence-based healthcare improvements.
Beyond clinical and academic pursuits, Enoch is recognized for his technical proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office, SPSS, and Stata, complementing his clinical competencies in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Fluent in English and Akan, with a basic understanding of French, he possesses a multicultural and multilingual perspective that enriches his professional interactions.
Enoch’s achievements have been acknowledged with awards such as Best Dissertation in Community Health and General Proficiency during his academic journey. He maintains active memberships in prestigious medical associations including the International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM) and the African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM), reflecting his commitment to global healthcare collaboration.
In summary, Enoch Opoku Afriyie epitomizes a visionary healthcare leader dedicated to transforming emergency medical services and public health initiatives in Ghana and beyond. His relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with a compassionate commitment to patient care and medical education, positions him as a formidable force in the field of emergency medicine and global health policy.
EmergencyMedicine #InFlightEmergency #CPR #Teamwork #Grateful #JohnsHopkins
This remarkable story illustrates that hope is always present during critical moments like cardiac arrest or stroke . Having a doctor on board can result in truly life-saving outcomes. Heartfelt congratulations to the entire team for their swift action and unwavering dedication. Keep up the excellent work and continue to inspire others with your commitment and professionalism!
