Patient Details

Name: Mrs. Rachael Ponau Kirriwom

Age: 63 Years

Gender: Female

Country of Origin: Papua New Guinea

Doctor: Dr. Sanjay Kumar and Dr. Manoj Agarwal

Hospital: Apollo Health, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, India

Treatment: Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery with four grafts

Watch Mrs. Rachael Ponau Kirriwom share her full experience in the video below

For about two years, Mrs. Rachael Ponau Kirriwom, aged 63, from Lorengau in Papua New Guinea, had been living with chest pain that came and went and breathlessness when she exerted herself. Tests showed coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed.

In May 2026, Mrs. Rachael had a stent placed in one of the affected arteries and continued taking her medicines afterwards. But the relief did not last. 

The chest pain returned, and further tests showed that the problem was not limited to the artery that had already been treated. All three main coronary arteries were affected, and Mrs. Rachael was diagnosed with triple-vessel disease.

With all three vessels affected, doctors recommended coronary artery bypass surgery rather than placing more stents. The surgery would allow blood to flow around the blocked parts of all three affected arteries.

Heart surgery of this scale was not something the family felt they could arrange close to home, and the thought of travelling abroad for it raised one question after another. Which hospital could they trust? Which doctor would be right for Mrs. Rachael? What would the surgery cost? And how would they manage such a long journey and stay in another country?

A local contact suggested that the family speak to Vaidam Health, which helps international patients find the best doctors and hospitals for treatment worldwide. Mrs. Rachael’s family shared her medical reports, angiography findings and previous stent history with the team. The team sent her reports to cardiac specialists at leading hospitals worldwide for their opinions.

The family received expert medical opinions, treatment recommendations and clear cost estimates. The team also explained the suggested surgery, the expected hospital stay and what Mrs. Rachael’s recovery could involve. The family received help understanding their options and choosing a doctor and hospital. After reviewing the medical advice and treatment plan, Mrs. Rachael decided to travel to India for her bypass surgery.

She chose Dr. Sanjay Kumar at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, with Dr. Manoj Agarwal. Knowing the treatment plan, expected costs, doctor and hospital before leaving Papua New Guinea helped Mrs. Rachael and her family prepare for the journey.

Vaidam also helped with the arrangements needed for the trip. The support included a medical visa invitation letter, airport pickup, help with finding accommodation near the hospital, appointment scheduling and hospital coordination. A dedicated case manager remained in contact with Mrs. Rachael and her daughter throughout their stay, helping with appointments and other practical needs.

Mrs. Rachael travelled to Hyderabad with her daughter, who stayed with her throughout the treatment. She was admitted on 15 September 2026 for her pre-operative assessment. The cardiac team found her heart function fair, and her blood pressure well controlled with medication.

On 18 September 2026, Dr. Sanjay Kumar performed off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery using four grafts. In bypass surgery, doctors use healthy blood vessels from elsewhere in the body to create new routes for blood to flow around blocked coronary arteries. For Mrs. Rachael, the internal mammary artery from the chest wall was used for the main artery at the front of the heart, while vein grafts were used for the remaining three affected vessels.

The operation was performed off-pump, which means the surgery was done while the heart continued beating, without stopping the heart or using a heart-lung machine.

Mrs. Rachael’s recovery went as planned. After surgery, she was moved out of intensive care and gradually helped to start walking and doing breathing exercises. She was discharged on 26 September 2026, eight days after her operation.

She stayed in Hyderabad for her wound check and suture removal before returning home. She was given a plan to gradually increase her activity over the next three months and a three-month post-operative review.

Mrs. Rachael and her daughter spent about four weeks in India. During their stay, the Vaidam team remained in regular contact with them, helping with appointments and other needs. 

When Mrs. Rachael returned to Papua New Guinea, she had her medicines, recovery instructions and follow-up plan with her, along with continued support from the Vaidam team.

Sharing her experience, Mrs. Rachael said:

“For two years I lived carefully, always wondering when the chest pain would come back. Travelling to India for heart surgery felt like a big step at my age, but Vaidam made it manageable. They arranged the hospital, the doctor, our visa letter and our stay, and someone was always reachable when we had any questions. Dr. Sanjay Kumar explained the surgery so simply. I am thankful to Vaidam and to the whole Apollo team for their care.”

For Mrs. Rachael and her daughter, the journey from Papua New Guinea to India was not only about undergoing heart surgery. It was also about finding the right medical team, understanding the treatment and having support at each step while being away from home. With her surgery completed and recovery underway, Mrs. Rachael was able to return home to her family with a clear plan for her recovery and follow-up care.

Vaidam Health wishes Mrs. Rachael Ponau Kirriwom a steady recovery, good health and many happy years ahead with her family in Papua New Guinea. It was a privilege to support Mrs. Rachael and her daughter throughout their journey to India and to continue supporting them after they returned home.