Pinoy nursing student goes viral after helping fellow passenger in need of medical attention mid-flight

A Filipino nursing student has gone viral after helping a fellow passenger who was in need of medical attention mid-flight.

In Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Monday, James Vincent Sayson said the passenger, an Indian national, was having difficulty staying conscious in the middle of their journey to Canada.

"Ginigising siya ng flight attendant. Gumigising naman siya pero parang bumabalik siya sa pagkatulog kaagad na parang hindi na normal to the point na parang hindi na nagre-respond yung passenger," he narrated.

["The flight attendant was waking them up. They were trying to wake up but couldn't stay conscious to the point that it's no longer normal and it seems they're no longer responding."] 

Sayson said it was in that moment that the flight attendant asked if there was a doctor on board.

According to Sayson, he first had doubts on whether he could help because he's still a student. But when no one stepped up after a few moments, he volunteered his services.

"Inantay ko po na may mag-respond bago po sa akin pero dahil po nakita ko na talagang kailangan po ng tulong ng pasahero, kahit po estudyante lang ako, may maitutulong ako, umaksyon po ako agad," he said.

["I waited for someone else to respond but because I saw that the passenger really needed help—even though I'm still a student, I can help—I acted right away."]

Sayson immediately checked the patient's vital signs and concluded that they have a low heart rate.

"Nalaman po namin na hypoglycemic po siya. In-instruct ko po 'yung flight attendant na bigyan siya ng candy, soda, and ng juice para ma-increase 'yung blood sugar level niya," he said.

["We knew that they're hypoglycemic. I instructed the flight attendant to give them candy, soda and juice to increase their blood sugar level."]

He then watched over the patient until their situation improved.

Sayson's good deed and initiative went viral and gained praise from netizens when he shared his experience on social media.

According to Sayson, he hopes that the incident would inspire other medical students to take their studies seriously despite the challenges of the pandemic.

"Dapat pahalagahan pa rin nila 'yung pinag-aaralan nila kasi at any point in time, baka maging important po siya," he said.

["They should still value what they're studying because at any point in time, it can become important."]

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News