Emirates passengers can soon access in-flight telemedicine services on board 300 aircraft

Dubai: Emirates, Dubai’s flagship carrier, has announced plans to roll out high-tech in-flight telemedicine stations on 300 aircraft over the next few years. The airline has said that this will enable customers to receive high-quality, speedy medical care in the air.

The ‘telemedicine station’ will have advanced features such as high-definition video conferencing, remote passenger assessment, secure data transmission and 12-Leads Telecardia ECG. This will enable the airline’s cabin crew to save lives in emergency situations. Emirates said it has invested more than $2.4 million in co-designing the new equipment set with Parsys – a French telemedicine solutions company.

The airline said it has always invested in high-quality medical equipment, but the new kit results from a yearlong collaboration between Emirates and Parsys. The aim is to create a bespoke inflight tool that is more efficient, reliable, connected, and ultimately safer for airline customers.

The new system includes the Parsys Telemedicine Kit for Emirates and the Parsys Cloud. The kit is an integrated, portable telemedicine station designed for cabin crew to gather important information and vital signs, which can then be transmitted to Emirates’ Ground Medical Support – a dedicated team of medical professionals who sit in Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai and are contactable 24/7.

The kit includes several medical devices like a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, and electrocardiogram (ECG).

Emirates customers who need medical support onboard flights can now have their vital signs or readings automatically transmitted to the Medcapture device via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for cabin crew to take notes and relay information manually.

According to Emirates, the Medcapture device is a tablet that contains a new software application customised to align with Emirates’ comprehensive medical procedures.

According to the airline, the interface has an intuitive and easy-to-use design so crew members can operate it even under challenging conditions.

Emirates said it also allows cabin crew to have real-time communication with the Ground Medical Support team, ensuring immediate access to expert medical advice while in the air. The tablet enables cabin crew to connect with ground-based doctors for real-time assessment of passenger medical cases. Sometimes, it allows doctors to visually evaluate injuries or medical concerns remotely if required.

The airline announced that its partnership with Parsys is already proving life-saving, with the MedCapture device and Parsys Cloud enabling real-time data transmission between cabin crew and Ground Medical Support.

According to Emirates, the Parsys system has been instrumental in managing medical emergencies onboard. The airline cited a recent flight to Lyon, France, where an elderly passenger experienced a cardiovascular emergency, leading to a sharp decline in oxygen levels.

Emirates’ trained cabin crew swiftly responded, providing oxygen and using the MedCapture device to share the passenger’s vital signs with ground-based medical experts. The Parsys Cloud facilitated instant communication, allowing the medical team to guide the crew in stabilising the passenger until landing.

Emirates emphasised that cabin crew receive comprehensive medical training to manage in-flight emergencies. New recruits undergo an eight-week intensive training programme covering first aid, CPR, AED usage, and response to incidents such as choking, allergic reactions, and childbirth. The airline noted that experienced crew members must complete annual refresher training, which includes a 1.5-hour online course, a two-hour practical session, and an in-flight simulation exercise.

The Parsys MedCapture system is now integrated into Emirates’ training programs, ensuring cabin crew can efficiently utilise the technology in emergencies. The airline reiterated its commitment to passenger safety, stating that the state-of-the-art medical support system strengthens its ability to handle critical situations at 40,000 feet.

With the Parsys kits installed on multiple aircraft, Emirates stated that the rollout is part of its ongoing investment in passenger well-being and innovation in aviation healthcare.