By Zhu Yingliang

At 4:45 am on 21st September, on the flight from Beijing to Istanbul which the 20th China (Jiangsu) Medical Aid Team to Guyana was on, most passengers were asleep. Suddenly, the urgent broadcast in the cabin interrupted everyone's sleep. It turned out that a passenger suddenly felt unwell and needed to look for a doctor.

Du Boxiang, the leader of the medical team and Deputy Director of the Department of Anesthesiology of Nantong First People’s Hospital, together with Chen Dongmei, Associate Chief Physician of the Nephrology Department of the hospital, and Gong Zhenhua, the Deputy Director of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department, went to the flight attendant and revealed their identities. After verifying their information, the crew took them to the passenger.

Mr. Zhang (Pseudonym) who suddenly fell ill was arranged to lie on the last row of seats at that time. His mental state was very depressed, and his voice was so weak that Du Boxiang could only hear it clearly when he squatted beside him.

Mr. Zhang told the doctor that he could not open his eyes and felt dizzy. Due to limited conditions, Gong Zhenhua first felt his pulse and found that it was relatively weak and the skin temperature of the end of the limbs was very cold. Although covered in the blanket, the limbs were still cold. Gong Zhenhua asked the flight attendant to bring another blanket to cover him to keep warm.

Du Boxiang asked about Mr. Zhang’s usual physical condition. Knowing that he had a history of dizziness, Du Boxiang asked the flight attendant to get the sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, and thermometer. Chen Dongmei measured the blood pressure and body temperature of Mr.Zhang immediately: 100/60mmHg, 34.8℃. From limited information, the temporary medical team analyzed: the temperature in the cabin was low, and Mr. Zhang did not eat much, which caused dizziness. So, Chen Dongmei asked the flight attendant to get a cup of hot water, lifted Mr. Zhang’s head and let him drink slowly.

After a period of treatment and observation, Mr. Zhang’s symptoms improved. Du Boxiang also carefully instructed the accompanying people to observe and call for help at any time if there was any need.

Before the plane landed, Du Boxiang, Chen Dongmei and Gong Zhenhua went to check Mr. Zhang’s health condition again. Mr. Zhang’s condition had improved significantly. Only then did the three Nantong doctors feel relieved to leave.