June 6, 2016 – From September 2016, ANA is introducing the ANA Doctor On Board service, principally on international flights. The idea is that should a medical emergency occur mid-flight, cabin crew will not have to ask if there are any doctors on board. They will be able to go straight to any physicians on the flight who have registered in advance with the service.
ANA will begin asking doctors to register from July 2016. It will also provide more details on the medical supplies on each flight, enabling both registered doctors and passengers with existing injuries and illnesses to confirm this information in advance of their flight.
Tablets carried by cabin crew will have language translation software to help facilitate initial medical response. The software, ANA Communication Board, will include medical terms in various languages. By October 2016, the software should cover 17 languages.
Registration for the service is voluntary and open only to licensed doctors who are also members of the ANA Mileage Club. If there are no registered doctors on board, cabin crew will make the traditional request for medical professionals to step forward.
Under the new system, any injury or damage claims filed by passengers as a result of medical treatment provided in flight will be handled by ANA, with the exception of cases of willful and gross negligence on the part of the doctor.
