A routine Air India flight (AI357) from Tokyo to Delhi turned into a life-saving mission for Dr. Loni Liriina, a critical care specialist from Manipur. When an emergency announcement called for a doctor, Liriina stepped forward to find a female passenger struggling with acute chest pain and gasping for breath.
High-Altitude Diagnosis
Drawing on her six years of experience in anesthesia and critical care, Dr. Liriina had to work with the limited medical supplies available in the aircraft’s cabin.
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The Situation: The passenger’s pulse was weak and her heart rate was dangerously high.
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The History: Liriina quickly gathered that the woman had a childhood history of asthma but had been off medication for years.
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The Action: Using a saturation probe, BP cuff, and stethoscope provided by the crew, Liriina diagnosed the crisis and administered the necessary onboard medications to stabilize the patient.
“I was quite nervous”
Despite her extensive training at prestigious institutions like PGIMER Chandigarh and Stanley Medical College, Dr. Liriina admitted the unique environment was daunting.
“I felt a little nervous because it was a whole different setup. I didn’t know what was available and the space was very limited… I realized I was the only responsible person there.”
She credited her ability to stay calm to “the grace of God” and the “professional and well-trained” Air India cabin crew who assisted her throughout the ordeal.
Who is Dr. Loni Liriina?
Hailing from the Senapati district of Manipur, Dr. Liriina is a highly qualified medical professional currently working at the American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Babina Speciality Hospital in Imphal.
Her Educational Journey:
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MBBS: Stanley Medical College, Chennai.
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MD (Anaesthesia & Critical Care): PGIMER, Chandigarh.
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IDCCM: BLK-MAX Superspecialty Hospital, New Delhi.
Reaction to Viral Fame
While a video of her heroics has garnered widespread praise on social media, Dr. Liriina remains humble, viewing the incident as a simple fulfillment of her medical duty.
“I’m just hoping the news will die down soon because I’m not used to all this,” she told HT.com. “What I did was not anything extraordinary. It was something which all doctors are doing all over the world.”
The passenger remained stable until the flight landed in Delhi, where she was handed over to a ground medical team for further care.
