First aid for a girl with hypocalcemia on a plane: On that flight, I was not just a doctor

'I relive the first feeling that made me choose this profession: saving lives, with only my heart and two hands. The moment the baby lay on the stretcher, looking back, tears welling up as if to say thank you. I will always remember it,' said Dr. Tien.

The Board of Directors of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital commended two doctors who promptly saved a girl with hypocalcemia on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi - Photo: Provided by the hospital

On the morning of July 1, the board of directors of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital commended and rewarded two doctors for promptly saving a girl with hypocalcemia on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.

According to the board of directors of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, the actions of the two doctors are a testament to the dedication, solid expertise and medical ethics of the hospital staff.

Whether in the hospital or in the community, the mission of protecting people's health is always put first.

Previously, on June 26, while the flight was in the middle of its journey, a girl about 12-13 years old suddenly had convulsions, her skin turned purple, and she was at risk of apnea due to acute hypocalcemia.

Faced with the critical situation, Dr. Nguyen Van Tien - Head of Gynecology and Surgery Department and Dr. Pham Ngoc Trung immediately arrived, coordinated with flight attendants and flight crew to perform emergency treatment.

Without full specialized medical equipment, the two doctors still calmly handled the situation, taking advantage of all available conditions on the plane to help the girl temporarily stabilize, overcome the danger until landing and being transferred to a medical facility.

Dr. Tien added that in this situation, he shouted loudly in the cabin "Does anyone have calcium effervescent tablets? The kind used when playing sports". About a minute later, a passenger brought out a tube of effervescent tablets containing calcium.

The doctor mixed the medicine with water for the baby to drink, while closely monitoring the vital signs and ruling out other possibilities such as bronchial asthma. Luckily, just a few minutes later, the baby's pulse stabilized, his skin gradually turned rosy, his breathing became more regular, and he opened his eyes and held the doctor's hand tightly.

"On that flight, I was not just a doctor. I relived the first feeling that made me choose this profession: preserving life, with only my heart and two hands. The moment the baby lay on the stretcher, looking back, tears welled up as if to say thank you. I will always remember this moment," Dr. Tien shared.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khen-thuong-hai-bac-si-cap-cuu-kip-thoi-be-gai-bi-ha-canxi-mau-tren-may-bay-20250701093317115.htm