Manipur doctor saves passenger mid-air on Tokyo Delhi Flight; CM lauds timely action
Imphal: A critical care specialist from Manipur, Dr Loni Liriina, helped prevent a possible emergency landing by providing timely medical assistance to a passenger who was experiencing breathing difficulties on board an Air India flight travelling from Tokyo to New Delhi.
The incident occurred on February 28, 2026, on board flight AI357, nearly 8 hours into the journey, when cabin crew announced a medical emergency, and she stepped in to assist a 21-year-old fellow traveller who suddenly fell ill.
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Dr. Liriina, who works as a consultant at the American Oncology Institute and Babina Speciality Hospital in Imphal, responded to an onboard announcement requesting medical help nearly eight hours into the 10-hour journey of Flight AI357.
Recalling the incident, the doctor shared that two hours before the landing, she responded to an emergency announcement for medical help. By the time the doctor responded to the call, the crew was already panicking. The patient was a young woman who suddenly had intense chest pain and difficulty breathing. When the doctor first checked the patient, she noticed that her heart rate was elevated to nearly 160 beats per minute, while her blood pressure was considerably low. She also checked that her oxygen saturation was around 80 percent and she was visibly suffering from acute respiratory distress, reports Assam Tribune. The passenger had a history of asthma since childhood, but unfortunately, she was not carrying any medication.
The medical resources found onboard were limited, but Dr. Liriina secured assistance from another medical professional and started emergency treatment. The doctors ensured oxygen support and nebulisation for the patient, and with the timely intervention of the doctor, the patient could be stabilised within 20 to 30 minutes, reports The Daily. “By the grace of God, this is a situation we deal with daily in my workplace. We used the medicines available on board, and everything went smoothly. The flight was able to continue to its destination,” the doctor added.
According to the Daily, for a moment, the condition of the patient became worse, and the cabin crew was even thinking of diverting the flight. Thanks to the quick help of the doctor, the patient remained stable when the flight ultimately landed in Delhi.
Dr. Liriina was born in the Senapati district of Manipur and is currently based in Imphal. She noted that timely intervention from well-qualified medical professionals can prove to be life-saving in such cases of medical emergencies mid-air, which is not uncommon nowadays.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also lauded her effort and stated, “A life saved is a testament to both skill and compassion. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Loni Lirina of Senapati District, Manipurfor her exemplary courage and timely medical intervention in saving the life of a 21-year-old passenger who experienced severe chest pain and breathlessness onboard. Her swift response, clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to the noble profession reflect the highest ideals of medical service. Such acts of humanity and professionalism bring immense pride to Manipur and stand as an inspiration to all.”
