Dr. Sabaha said that the strong support and encouragement she receives from the authorities and senior doctors at Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital gave her the confidence to remain calm and respond effectively during the emergency
Kochi: A timely intervention by a doctor helped save the life of a 60-year-old passenger from Tirur in Malappuram who suffered a heart attack while travelling on the Kochi Metro. Dr. Sabaha Shabnam, Anaesthetist and Critical Care Specialist at Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital, Kadavanthra,kochi, immediately provided first aid and performed CPR, helping revive the passenger. The incident occurred at around 10.30 a.m. on the 20th of August 2026. Dr. Sabaha was travelling from Ernakulam South Metro Station to her flat at Pathadipalam-Edappally after seeing her mother off at South Railway Station for her journey to Kozhikode.
When the Metro train approached Ernakulam Maharaja’s College Station, the coach was moderately crowded. At that time, a passenger sitting opposite her complained of discomfort and asked for water, while an elderly man travelling alone nearby suddenly collapsed to one side. Realising the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Sabaha immediately attended to him, checked his pulse and identified the condition as a cardiac emergency. Without losing any time, she began administering emergency CPR.
By the time the train reached Ernakulam Town Hall Station, the passenger had regained consciousness and his pulse had returned to normal. The Metro’s medical team then took charge of the passenger at Town Hall Station and shifted him to a hospital for further treatment. In recognition of her professional commitment and timely intervention in saving a life outside the hospital, Dr. Sabaha Shabnam was honoured at the Kochi Metro headquarters under the leadership of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) Managing Director Loknath Behera IPS (Rtd). Dr. Sabaha was also honoured by Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital President M. O. John and Secretary Ajay Tharayil at a board meeting held at the hospital.
Dr. Sabaha said that the strong support and encouragement she receives from the authorities and senior doctors at Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital gave her the confidence to remain calm and respond effectively during the emergency. She added that the hospital has advanced critical care facilities. Dr. Sabaha is married to software engineer Muhammad Irshad. Their children are Saha Yashal, a fourth-grade student, and Insha Mariyam, a first-grade student at St. Paul’s International School, Kalamassery.
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