If one takes ill on an international flight R”L, rarely will one find oneself on board an El Al flight without a doctor. Actually, it has become a joke, the old “Is there a doctor on board” for a Jewish airline usually will have a doctor [or two] on board.
However, this case may be one for the books. This occurred on board on an El Al flight, but even the most veteran El Al cabin crew officials don’t recall such an overwhelming response. A 91-year-old passenger appeared to be having a heart attack. When the announcement came “Is there a doctor on board” no less than 30 responded!
This occurred last erev Shabbos, 15 Sivan 5773, on a flight from Tel Aviv to France. There were 30 cardiologists on board, heading to a medical conference in France. Four of the 30 actually stepped forward and treated the elderly patient, tending to her for the entire flight. When they arrived in France an ambulance was waiting and she was reported to be in stable condition.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
There really should always be a doctor on the plane it can save someones life!! Just like there’s a stewardess there should be a doctor as well. Yes, he won’t always be needed but still there should ALWAYS be a doctor on the plane if R”L somethIng happens
1. Of course! Like we don’t pay enough for travel already, you want the flying public to subsidize another freebie.
to #1 Great. Should it be a cardiologist (for chest pain), pulmonolgist(for pts with difficulty breathing), obstetrician (in case someone goes into early labor), pediatrician (in case a kid gets sick) or a psychiatrist (for the rest of us for flying ELAL),
Ashrehem Yisrael ,,,Jews always there to help another Jew.