Medical cover provided for all flights

(HONG KONG, 12 August 1998) -- Immediate medical services are provided in every case requiring treatment on flights arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, the Airport Authority (AA) said today. This was in response to press enquiries following an incident yesterday involving a China Southern airlines flight. When an incoming aircraft has a passenger who is feeling unwell, the pilot can request medical assistance to be available on landing. In such cases ambulances and a doctor from the airport medial clinic can be waiting at the gate on arrival of the aircraft. In yesterday's case, it appears that although the passenger told flight crew that he felt unwell, no request for an ambulance or doctor was passed on to the airport management. Therefore, when the China Southern aircraft arrived at the gate, no medical facilities were available. It appears therefore that a friend called for an ambulance at 10:56 am. At 11:02 am the Airport Authority received a call from Jardine Airport Services, handling agent for China Southern, requesting medical assistance. The Fire Services Communication Centre was alerted at 11:03 am. An ambulance arrived at the aircraft gate at 11:10 am. After treatment, the passenger was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital at 11:24 am. In addition, the AA notified the clinic in the passenger terminal building. A doctor immediately went to the scene after dealing with another patient, and arrived within 15 minutes (however, the ambulance had already left with the aircraft patient). As to the question of payment for a doctor, this is never a prior consideration in emergency medical attendance at the airport. On request from the airline, a doctor is sent from one of the two medical centres in the passenger terminal building. The priority is to provide medical care and questions relating to payment are dealt with later. It is not known why, as it is claimed, in yesterday's case airline staff asked for advance payment. Certainly, this is not a requirement of the AA. This point will again be made clear to all airlines. Ref. PR-385