A 15-year-old child from Nigeria did not have a normal childhood. This was because he had been suffering from enormous energy deficiency. He was unable to walk for the last 10 years. When he was examined by a local physician, he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia.
Sickle cell anemia is a form of anemia in which there is an inadequate number of healthy red blood cells that carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Normally, the RBCs are flexible and round that can easily move through the blood vessels. However, in sickle cell anemia these cells become rigid, sticky and sickle-shaped, making it difficult to smoothly flow through the vessels. This causes a lack of oxygen to different parts of the body.
Opting for the right hospital
The ardent need to get the right treatment made them reach Vaidam by exploring the internet. They posted a query on the website. Shortly, they received a call back by one of the case managers, Aditi Sabharwal. After taking the reports from them, Aditi shared them with some of the best neurosurgery hospitals in India. The hospitals’ opinions with a cost estimate were shared with the family. With this help, they were able to decide to visit Dharamshila Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.
The Arrival in India
Selection of the hospital was followed by all paperwork needed to visit India. The case manager arranged the Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) from the hospital. Application for medical eVisa to India was also done by another team member. The family received the medical visa and the attendant visa within 72 hours of application in their mobile phones.
Their accommodation was also arranged by the team prior to their arrival as per the requirements. The patient arrived on 25th March and was picked up from the airport to their hotel, and then to the hospital.
Experience in the hospital
At a scheduled time, the patient and the family was taken to the hospital to meet Dr. Ashish Shrivastava, the senior consultant neurosurgeon at the hospital. A detailed case history was taken by the doctor, who asked minute details about any other medical condition or family history. Them, Ibrahim was sent for detailed investigations. After the reports came back, the doctor suggested getting ‘Pump Implantation’ in the abdomen. After making 2 trials, the surgery was scheduled.
The Pump Implantation is a surgical procedure in which an implant is permanently inserted to supply to the spinal fluid. The liquid medication goes into the intrathecal space where the fluid flows around the spinal cord.
The Feedback
“ Vaidam team rendered all the services required during our stay in India. My son will be able to walk within 6 months or 1 year as assured by the doctors. I am very grateful to the team”.
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