The quick actions of two nurses at a Dubai clinic saved the life of an eight-month-old infant who was choking on a biscuit dipped in milk. The incident occurred at the Aster clinic in Aswaq Mall after it had closed for the day.
According to Khaleej Times, the Emirati mother, identified as KAS, panicked when her baby started turning blue. In a desperate state, she rushed to the nearest clinic, where nurses Anjali Somarajan and Vidhya Prasad were waiting for a taxi outside.
“We checked the baby’s response,” said Anjali. “The baby was conscious, but she was unable to cry or breathe.” Realizing the severity of the situation, the nurses unlocked the clinic doors and initiated emergency procedures. “We gave five taps on the shoulder and a bit of the biscuit came out,” added Vidhya. After several attempts, the baby expelled the blockage and began crying, much to the relief of everyone present. The nurses then advised the mother to take the child to the nearest hospital for further evaluation.
Dr. Sudha Rao, a pediatric specialist at Aster Royal Clinic Downtown, emphasized the importance of parental vigilance to prevent choking incidents. “Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under five globally,” she stated. She recommended parents learn life-saving skills such as administering back blows and chest thrusts for infants, and the Heimlich Manoeuvre for older children. “Every second counts in a choking emergency,” Dr. Rao stressed.
Parents should also be cautious during the first year of an infant’s life when they explore new foods and objects, noted Dr. Vanitha Ramalingam, a consultant pediatrician at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi. She advised cutting food into small pieces, supervising meals and playtime, and ensuring age-appropriate toys are used. A 2022 study by Emirates Health Services found that around 50 children annually present to tertiary facilities in the UAE due to choking, often on food and small objects.
Signs of severe choking include inability to breathe, gasping or wheezing, turning blue, and becoming unconscious. “While choking is often brief and not dangerous, it can lead to serious, life-threatening complications if the airway is blocked,” warned Dr. Sudha.