A routine Delta Airlines flight from Kotoka International Airport, Accra, to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, New York, took an unexpected turn when an urgent announcement echoed through the cabin: “Is there a doctor on board?”
For the passengers mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean, this call for help signaled a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Dr. Enoch Opoku Afriyie, a Specialist Emergency Medicine Physician from Ghana, was among those who responded. He later recounted the incident on his LinkedIn page, detailing the intense moments that unfolded four hours into the 11-hour journey.
Upon hearing the announcement, Dr. Afriyie quickly volunteered to assist. He found an elderly passenger unresponsive with vomit on his jacket and no carotid pulse, indicating cardiac arrest. A nurse and a pediatrician also stepped up to provide support. As the most experienced in emergency care, Dr. Afriyie took charge as the team leader and immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
With limited resources available, the team requested an oxygen supply, an automated external defibrillator (AED), a sphygmomanometer, and the emergency medical kit from the flight crew. Working swiftly and cohesively, they managed to restore the passenger’s pulse after about five minutes of CPR. The patient regained consciousness and was stabilized using a non-rebreather mask to supply oxygen.
Throughout the remainder of the flight, the team monitored the patient’s condition closely, coordinating with the airline’s medical team to ensure the passenger’s safety until the plane landed at JFK Airport. Upon arrival, paramedics transported the patient to a nearby hospital in New York for further evaluation and treatment.
Reflecting on the incident, Dr. Afriyie expressed his gratitude for the collective effort that saved a life mid-flight.
“I am grateful to have been part of a team that saved a fellow passenger’s life,” he wrote, thanking his colleagues for their swift response and Delta Airlines for having the necessary medical equipment on board.
About Dr. Opoku Afriyie
Dr. Enoch Opoku Afriyie is a distinguished Specialist Emergency Medicine Physician from Kumasi, Ghana. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, he has dedicated over a decade to advancing emergency medical services, particularly in resource-limited settings across Sub-Saharan Africa. His expertise spans trauma care and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), among other critical areas.
Dr. Afriyie’s educational journey began at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB), and later a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Planning and Management. He further honed his skills in emergency medicine through advanced training programs, including a membership with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in collaboration with the University of Michigan Global Emergency Medicine Program.
His professional career includes significant roles at leading healthcare institutions in Ghana, such as Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and St. Patrick’s Hospital. Dr. Afriyie has been instrumental in developing emergency departments and leading critical initiatives, including a COVID-19 Response Team.
A passionate advocate for medical education and research, Dr. Afriyie has contributed significantly to the field through his teaching, mentorship, and involvement in organizations like the Emergency Medicine Society of Ghana (EMSOG). His research on road traffic accident injuries in Kumasi highlights his commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practices.
Dr. Afriyie’s technical and clinical skills, combined with his dedication to advancing emergency medicine and public health, have earned him numerous accolades, including awards for academic excellence and professional proficiency.
Source: Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah