The Japanese carrier ANA hopes to do away with the need to make
loudspeaker inquiries about whether there’s a doctor on the plane.
Beginning in September, ANA will introduce a service it calls
“Doctor on Board” for international flights. Under the program, ANA will ask
doctors to register in advance for the flight they will be on. Registration
will be available to licensed physicians who are members of the ANA mileage
club.
“Should an injury, illness or other medical emergency occur
mid-flight, cabin crew will no longer have to make an initial announcement and
ask if there are any doctors on board,” the carrier said. “Instead,
they will be able to directly seek the help of any physicians on the flight.”
The result, the carrier said, will be more rapid medical response.
As part of the “Doctor on Board” program, ANA will also provide
additional details on medical supplies available on each flight, allowing both
registered doctors and passengers with injuries and illnesses to confirm the
information in advance of their trips.
ANA is developing software to reduce language
barriers during a medical response. The software will include medical terms in
various languages, which will be vocalized via tablets carried by crew members.
The software will cover 17 languages by October, ANA said.