Air passengers often ignore medical advice

Two deaths were reported on Indian airports within twenty-four hours last week. One of them was reported at Mumbai.
It was alleged that medical aid came late.
Such incidents are increasing over the last two years and coincide with the number of people travelling by air.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) levies a stiff airport tax for various services to air travellers. These include clean toilets, a lounge and trolleys for luggage. For some reason, the question of setting up medical facilities for passengers, who either fall sick before, during or after travel never seems to have occurred to the AAI.
Prolonged sitting at one place leads to potentially fatal conditions like Deep Vein Thrombosis, pressurisation effects on the ears and stress effects on those suffering from claustrophobia.
People with chronic, serious diseases like heart conditions, asthma are especially at risk while taking long flights. Hence the standard mandates to get a medical checkup before boarding a flight. Consumers often ignore medical advice and fly either without going through a health checkup or take things into their own hands.
28/01/08 MS Kamath/Daily News & Analysis

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Safety Jan 2008