Two Doctors’ Offers to Help Rejected on Etihad Flight

Two female doctors who offered to assist a passenger who became unwell on Etihad Airways Flight EY16 on August 27 were reportedly not allowed to intervene. Dr. Gretchen Winter, who was on board, said she identified herself as a doctor and requested the medical kit, but the cabin manager told her that they were trained in first aid and asked her to return to her seat.

Winter said another female doctor on the same flight also offered to help but was turned away, while the unwell passenger remained on the floor in the aisle for around 10 to 15 minutes. According to Winter, the cabin manager approached her about an hour later, saying they had followed procedure and would call her if assistance was required. Winter argued that the passenger’s condition had not been properly assessed.

The passenger’s condition and the eventual outcome of the incident have not been disclosed. Etihad Airways has not yet issued a statement on the matter, while Winter’s claims have not been independently verified.