A routine flight took an unexpected turn when a passenger fell ill mid-air, but the quick response of UAE-based nurse, Pooja Rajakumaran, helped bring the situation under control and provided reassurance until landing.
An urgent announcement interrupted the calm aboard a commercial flight, with cabin crew appealing for any doctors, nurses, or medical professionals to identify themselves.
“The moment I heard that call, my professional instincts and duty as a nurse completely took over. Without a second thought, I stood up from my seat, approached the flight crew, and told them, ‘I am a nurse, please let me know how I can help.’” Rajakumaran told Gulf News.
Moments later, Rajakumaran was attending to a passenger suffering from a medical emergency as cabin crew assessed whether the captain should be informed to consider an emergency diversion.
The 34-year-old nurse, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Hospital, was taken to a female passenger who had recently undergone a mastectomy and was travelling after physiotherapy treatment in Dubai.
The passenger, who was using a wheelchair, appeared to be in poor condition when Rajakumaran reached her.
“When I first assessed her, she was experiencing severe dizziness, looking extremely dull, and was drifting in and out of consciousness,” recalled Rajakumaran.
According to the nurse, the woman’s condition was also marked by intense weakness and uncontrollable shivering.
“Her pulse was very weak and her hands were freezing cold and shivering.”
Despite the limited space inside the aircraft cabin, Rajakumaran quickly focused on stabilising the passenger and ensuring she remained alert.
“I immediately started tapping her gently and speaking to her continuously to keep her awake and conscious.”
She also asked the cabin crew to provide water, which she carefully helped the passenger drink.
“I continuously rubbed her hands to generate body warmth and improve circulation and we wrapped her tightly in a blanket to ensure she was comfortable and secure.”
As the passenger gradually responded to treatment, the senior cabin crew sought Rajakumaran’s opinion on whether the captain should prepare for an emergency landing.
“When the senior cabin crew asked if the situation was critical enough to alert the captain for an emergency diversion, I evaluated her vitals and reassured them that it was a severe case of anxiety and physical exhaustion,” explained Rajakumaran.
“I confirmed she was stable enough to continue the flight without an emergency landing. I monitored her closely until we landed, by which time her temperature had normalized, and she expressed immense relief.”
Originally from Kollam in Kerala, India, Rajakumaran has accumulated seven years of nursing experience, having previously worked in Saudi Arabia before relocating to the UAE. She joined RAK Hospital in 2025 and currently serves in its NICU.
She credited her years of experience in critical care for enabling her to manage the in-flight medical situation with confidence.
“Throughout my nursing experiences, both during my time in Saudi Arabia and my current role in the NICU at RAK Hospital, I have been trained to manage critical, high-pressure environments on a daily basis,” shared Rajakumaran.
She said her professional training equipped her to assess the patient’s condition accurately despite the confined setting and to advise the cabin crew without creating unnecessary panic.
Rajakumaran also described her experience as an expatriate healthcare professional in the UAE as deeply rewarding, adding that the incident reaffirmed the responsibility healthcare workers carry wherever they are.
“My message to fellow healthcare professionals is to always trust your training and never hesitate to step forward when someone is in distress. Our calling to care for humanity doesn’t end when our shift is over or when we walk out of the hospital doors,” said Rajakumaran.
Although the flight concluded safely for everyone on board, the journey ended with relief for a woman recovering from cancer treatment after a frightening medical episode. For Rajakumaran, answering the call for help underscored that some of the most significant moments in healthcare can happen far beyond the walls of a hospital.
Sometimes, they happen at 35,000 feet, where a calm voice, steady hands, and years of training can make all the difference.
