Like many with Hepatitis C, Mukhtar didn’t know for a while that he had the contagious liver infection. He found out when he went to the doctor for flu-like symptoms in his late fifties.
“The doctor did a blood test, and shortly afterward I was told that I had Hepatitis C.” Hearing the news Mukhtar and his family was devastated, “I thought they were mistaken as I had no symptoms.” After multiple visits to the doctor the reality of it all slowly began to sink in, “My doctor sent me to a liver specialist, and I was under his care for a while, however, my situation got much worse. I was sleeping 16 or more hours a day, and was so confused I couldn’t concentrate.”
With no solution in sight, Mukhtar decided to get treated abroad, “the treatment was not working and I was under a lot of pain. Day after day, week after week, it seemed to go on endlessly. I started to deal with the pain by sleeping a lot. We needed a solution quickly”. Now decidedly eager, Mukhtar did what most people would do in their situation, he went and on internet and Googled ‘Hepatitis C treatment cost’. Relevant search results pointed him towards Vaidam.com. “We found you on the internet, and thankfully we were able to find the best hospitals for hepatitis C treatment in India from here as well.
Arriving in New Delhi, India on the 13th of May, 2018, Mukhtar was greeted at the airport by a Vaidam patient relations executive. “Being picked up is always a nice feeling, especially when you are in a foreign country.” said Mukhtar.
With the necessary appointments at BLK Multispecialty Hospital made in advance, Mukhtar waited for the intended day of his appointment. He was going to be treated by Dr. Yogesh Batra, a Senior Consultant and Director of Gastroenterology at BLK.
Subsequent to meeting the doctor, Mukhtar got medical advice about his treatment, “I am set on a course of medication. It going to include medicines that would have to be taken for the course of 48 weeks. That is long but necessary”. When asked about his doctor he said, “So far our experience has been very good. We have nothing negative to report. Dr. Batra, who is among top 5 hepatologists in India, has been very kind in explaining the course of treatment and the hospital staff has been helpful in getting the test results done and guiding us along the way.”
After staying in India for two weeks, the medication seems to be going down well, “I feel better already” says Mukhtar. “It’s important to stay positive throughout challenges like this, constantly setting new goals,” he adds. Over the weeks, Mukhtar has had to make certain changes in his life these included monitoring his weight and fluid intake, consuming a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly. “The medicines are only half the battle,” says a happy Mukhtar.
Vaidam would like to wish Mukhtar a speedy recovery and a happy and healthy future ahead.