PETALING JAYA – Is there a doctor in the house? Indeed there was, as a Sarawak deputy minister came to a passenger’s rescue on a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is Sarawak's deputy education, innovation and talent development minister, shared that the incident took place on board MH2521 involving a woman who had an asthma attack.
One of the flight attendants had earlier made an announcement asking for any medical personnel or doctor on board to identify themselves, to which Dr Annuar stepped up, asking how he could be of help.
The stewardess then asked if he was a medical doctor or a doctor of philosophy, to which he replied he was the former.
She then asked for an identification document, most likely in a bid to ensure that the airline was not entrusting a sick passenger to an imposter.
Dr Annuar explained that medical doctors do not carry identity cards. The stewardess then asked for any card he carried that identified himself as a medical doctor.
Amused, Dr Annuar, who is also Nangka assemblyman, offered his credit card.
“Okay, I have a credit card with the name Dr Annuar Rapaee,” he said.
Satisfied at this point, the stewardess explained they had a passenger suffering breathing difficulties.
Dr Annuar attended to the female passenger, who he said required either an inhaler or a nebuliser.
Another passenger with an inhaler offered it to her, but after a few puffs, she was still having difficulty breathing.
“Thank God the MAS emergency kit comes complete with a nebuliser. Thank you very much MAS,” he wrote.
The passenger was able to breathe after that and Dr Annuar said she made it safely to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport while he had to fill out four copies of medical reports.
All is well that ends well as netizens applauded him for his help.
Facebook user Persi Evo complimented Dr Annuar, saying not only does he serve the people on the ground, but also does so even up in the air.
“Amazing…great job YB Datuk Dr! Was in the same flight and witnessed the whole episode. Glad to hear that the lady pulled through,” wrote Gloria Nanang. – The Vibes, September 7, 2023
