Two nurses from Kerala, who were flying to Abu Dhabi from Kochi to start their careers in the Emirates, had a critical ‘job assignment’ to complete mid-air.

Abhijith Jees, 26, from Wayanad, and Ajeesh Nelson, 29, from Chengannur, were on Air Arabia Flight 3L128 to begin their careers with the UAE’s largest emergency and onsite medical service providers Response Plus Medical (RPM) when they heard somebody gasping from a seat closeby. It was early morning, and Jees got up to find a man unresponsive. That passenger, a 34-year-old man from Thrissur, Kerala, had had a sudden cardiac arrest.

Jees started Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), while alerting the cabin crew. Nelson joined him and they both focussed on what had to be done to save a life. “There was no panic… It was about acting fast and doing our best,” said Nelson.

They performed two rounds of CPR when the passenger started breathing again. “When I saw him move, I felt a deep sense of relief,” Jees said. “It reminded me that we carry our responsibility wherever we go.”

Dr. Arif Abdul Khadir, a doctor on board, also stepped in to stabilise the passenger by starting IV fluids until the plane’s safe landing in Abu Dhabi.

“When we saw him respond, it felt like a blessing. It was our first journey abroad, and to be able to save a life before even starting our new jobs felt like the best welcome we could have received,” said Nelson.

The nurses went to their new workplace and did not mention a word about their travel experience to anyone. Brint Anto, a fellow traveller, also an RPM employee, narrated their story, after which RPM felicitated Jees and Nelson for their timely intervention.

Dr. Rohil Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer of Response Plus Holding, said, “Well done, Ajeesh and Abhijith, who have shown the true spirit of RPM by saving a patient outside the hospital environment. The RPM family salutes the great work of our members.”

The passenger’s family also expressed their heartfelt gratitude. They said, “We cannot thank these nurses enough. They were strangers to us, yet they gave our loved one another chance at life. Their kindness and courage will always stay in our prayers.”

Dr Mohamed Ali, Medical Director of RPM Projects, said, “In any cardiac arrest, every second counts… Early recognition and prompt CPR can make the difference between life and death, whether it happens mid-flight or on the ground. What these two nurses did reflects the very essence of medical readiness and teamwork.” – editor@nrifocus.com