Three medical workers from Sun Yat-sen University’s affiliated hospitals performed a life-saving rescue on a critically ill infant aboard China Southern Airlines Flight CZ6835 from Kashgar to Guangzhou on May 2. Dr. Liang Qi and Dr. Leng Yan from the First Affiliated Hospital, along with Cai Xia, head nurse from the Third Affiliated Hospital, responded immediately to an in-flight emergency call for medical assistance.
The infant, suffering from congenital cleft palate, severe aspiration pneumonia, and congenital heart disease, was in critical condition due to dehydration after his feeding tube accidentally dislodged, leaving him with only 20 ml of milk intake over 12 hours. The baby presented with pallor, abdominal distension, rapid breathing, and weak crying, indicating severe electrolyte imbalance and potential cardiac arrhythmia risks.
With limited in-flight medical resources, the team decided on oral rehydration using a makeshift sugar water solution prepared by Cai, who carefully adjusted its temperature and sweetness. Over ten minutes, they administered 40 ml of the solution drop-by-drop to avoid aspiration, closely monitoring the infant’s response. As the baby gradually stabilized, Dr. Liang requested a seat change to stay beside him for the remaining five-hour flight, ensuring continuous observation.
Head Nurse Cai Xia assists the flight crew in carrying out emergency rescue efforts.
Dr. Liang Qi carefully attends to the infant.
Upon landing, the infant was rushed to Guangzhou Children's Hospital for further treatment, including intravenous fluids, gastric tube insertion, and cardiac monitoring. The medical team also coordinated with local hospitals to ensure seamless post-landing care.
The infant's parents expressed profound gratitude, noting, “We will never forget your help. Without you, we wouldn't know what to do.” As of late May, the baby has successfully undergone mandibular distraction osteogenesis surgery and is recovering well, showing signs of weight gain.
When asked afterward, the three medical staff members repeatedly emphasized that they “simply reacted instinctively without a second thoughts.”
"When handling this case, we simply applied professional knowledge as we normally would," said Dr. Leng. "Receiving recognition from fellow passengers reminded us of the importance of our work." Cai also added, “Doctors and nurses are not just healers but also bearers of hope.”
This rescue highlights the trio’s dedication to their profession and their ongoing involvement in medical assistance to Xinjiang. The three had just concluded a rehabilitation medicine training mission in Kashgar as part of Guangdong’s medical assistance project to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which has dispatched 175 experts from affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University on 41 missions to Kashgar since 2024.
Sun Yat-sen University, which has supported Kashgar First People’s Hospital (Sun Yat-sen University Affiliated Kashgar Hospital) since 2018, recently deployed a new batch of 26 medical professionals to Xizang Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for one to three years of targeted support in cardiology, ophthalmology, and other critical fields.
This mid-air rescue highlights the dedication, resourcefulness, and compassion of the university’s medical staff. Their willingness to extend professional expertise beyond conventional settings underscores the university’s spirit of “healing people’s bodies and souls in addition to treating illnesses; saving the nation and the world in addition to saving lives.” In moments of crisis, they demonstrated that genuine care transcends location, reminding us all that healing can—and must—reach wherever human lives are at stake.
Moving forward, Sun Yat-sen University will continue to spearhead cross-regional medical partnerships, channeling their expertise into tangible benefits for communities and society at large.
Photos: Guangzhou's Daily
