Investigations ongoing into passenger collapse at CJIA

―Public Health Ministry briefed

−Port Health Officer reports all efforts made to save passenger’s life

−Passenger had history of Asthma and Hypertension

DPI, Guyana, Monday, January 6, 2020

A male passenger between the ages 0f 50 and 60 years has died after collapsing while boarding an outgoing American Airlines flight early Sunday morning at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Reports reaching the Ministry of Public Health indicate that several attempts were made to resuscitate the passenger who was later pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

The ministry says reports received from the Port Health Officer show that best efforts were made by the licensed health care provider on duty to save the passenger’s life.

This refutes a letter to the editor in Monday’s edition of the Kaieteur News which states that the airport had no defibrillator nor staff appropriately trained to assist in such an emergency.

The ministry says the all necessary protocols were followed and executed in a manner with the hope of a better outcome. The on-duty Port Health Officer had reported the details surrounding the passenger’s death to the health ministry as required.

Reports indicate that the passenger complained to his wife about feeling unwell on his way to the boarding gate before deciding to utilise his self-care nebuliser since he is asthmatic.

It was shortly after that he collapsed and at 1.30 a.m the Port Health Officer received a call from the airport duty office about the emergency. The officer was on the scene by 1.33 a.m, equipped with an emergency bag.

Reports say another passenger had already begun to perform CPR on the unresponsive passenger. The officer then took over and an Automated External Defibrillator was used in an attempt to resuscitate the passenger. He, however, remained unresponsive.

The passenger was then transferred to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre for further evaluation and confirmation of unresponsiveness. He was examined by the doctor in charge and subsequently pronounced dead.

In addition to being asthmatic, the patient’s medical history indicated that he was also hypertensive. The police have been informed, and an investigation is ongoing.