Sick child in airport - how can the airport help?

Question

When I was at Doha Airport, in one of the waiting rooms, I ran across a couple who had a small baby with them. The parents were not well-off and were going to see some very ill/about-to-be-dead relative, don't remember the exact circumstance but on those lines. I found myself helpless as I didn't know if there is any medical help they could have availed in the airport. On railways, I know that doctors (General Physician and all surgery, paediatric Doctors) are given subsidized tickets with the idea that if anybody has a medical emergency the doctor will give free help till arrives in form of more medical professionals with their tools.

Is there a common policy which could help parents in situations like these?

Update - Do they charge money for diagnosing small ailments like fever, cough etc. ? Medicines for sure would cost money.

Answer 1

I don't know about all railways, but I assure you that doctors are not typically given subsidized air tickets in the hope they can help in case of an emergency. I do know that airlines may, after the fact, throw a few frequent flyer miles in the direction of someone who does provide medical help as a thank you.

In the airport terminal, most major airports, especially in industrialized countries, will have some provision for first aid and paramedics, and airport staff is able to summon this assistance. They sometimes use electric carts or bikes to move around the airport more quickly and reach patients in need of help. Here, for example, are paramedic first responders using Segways at Warsaw International Airport. The airport paramedics can provide immediate care and arrange emergency transportation to a hospital if needed. The costs and payment requirements for these services will depend on the country's healthcare system.

The airport may also have a clinic on site. For example, here is one at San Francisco International Airport. They offer "urgent care" services, less than would be available at a hospital, but enough to deal with many common ailments. There are two medical centres at Doha, staffed 24/7.

For the simplest of situations, many airports have a drug store in the terminal, where passengers can buy non-prescription medications for a headache, upset stomach, etc...