Surviving a Nightmare: My Experience with Food Poisoning and Negligence on a Kuwait Airways Flight

In recounting the events that unfolded during a recent flight with Kuwait Airways , I find myself compelled to share a deeply troubling ordeal that transcended the boundaries of a routine journey. What began as a simple flight quickly escalated into a nightmarish sequence of events that not only challenged my physical well-being but also shook my faith in the airline industry's commitment to passenger care and safety.

On December 5th, 2023, I boarded a Kuwait Airways flight from Sabiha G?k?en Airport in Istanbul, bound for Kuwait City. Little did I know that this seemingly innocuous flight would soon become a pivotal moment in my life, marking the beginning of an arduous and traumatizing journey.

As the flight took off, I settled into my seat, anticipating a smooth journey ahead. However, my expectations were shattered just moments after consuming the meal provided by the airline. Within thirty minutes, I was gripped by excruciating abdominal pain, accompanied by waves of nausea, fever, and profound fatigue. My distress escalated rapidly, and before I knew it, I found myself vomiting blood—a terrifying sight that sent shockwaves of panic through my body.

In a desperate bid for help, I alerted the flight crew to my dire condition, only to be met with indifference and apathy. Despite witnessing two other passengers experiencing similar symptoms, the crew's response was woefully inadequate, leaving me to grapple with the gravity of my deteriorating health alone.

As the flight progressed, so did my agony. With each passing minute, the pain intensified, accompanied by alarming symptoms suggestive of a stroke—chest pains, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and numbness spreading through my body like wildfire. In my moment of dire need, the crew's neglect only compounded my suffering, pushing me to the brink of despair.

Upon landing at Kuwait International Airport, I had hoped for a reprieve—a chance to receive the urgent medical attention I so desperately needed. Instead, I was subjected to further delays and disregard for my well-being. Despite my critical condition, I languished in the airport clinic for nine agonizing hours, my pleas for help falling on deaf ears.

When I was finally transferred to Farwaniya Hospital, my hopes for relief were swiftly dashed by the grim reality of substandard care and institutional neglect. Placed in a room alongside individuals battling infectious and chronic diseases, I grappled with a sense of isolation and fear, compounded by the relentless pressure from both medical staff and airline employees to hasten my discharge.

But the nightmare didn't end there. In a cruel twist of fate, I fell victim to theft at the hands of Kuwait Airways employees, who callously confiscated my wallet containing substantial sums of money and prized camera equipment. Despite my attempts to seek justice through legal channels, I was met with obstruction and intimidation, further compounding the injustices I had endured.

Now, as I navigate the aftermath of this harrowing experience, the repercussions of the bacterial infection caused by food poisoning haunt me relentlessly. Alongside the trauma of negligence and mistreatment, I am grappling with the physical toll exacted upon my body. The infection has left me with a myriad of health issues, including mild mitral valve regurgitation, mild tricuspid valve regurgitation, and mild aortic valve regurgitation—a stark reminder of the lasting damage inflicted upon my cardiovascular system.

Moreover, the ordeal has left me grappling with the aftermath of a stroke, further exacerbating my already compromised health. Nights are fraught with night sweats and restless sleep, while the days are marked by persistent fatigue, aching muscles and joints, and the pervasive sense of breathlessness that accompanies even the slightest exertion. Headaches plague me with alarming regularity, while unexplained weight loss serves as a constant reminder of the toll this ordeal has taken on my body.

As I strive to reclaim my health and piece together the shattered fragments of my life, I am confronted with the stark reality of the negligence and mistreatment I endured at the hands of Kuwait Airways. My experience serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform within the airline industry—a need that extends far beyond my plight.

Surviving a nightmare is only the beginning. It is time for action, for change, and for a future where no passenger suffers the indignities I endured. Until then, I will continue to raise my voice in defiance, demanding justice for myself and for every individual who has been wronged by the callous disregard of those entrusted with their safety and well-being.

Mohamed Moukannaa