Patient Details

Name: Mr. John Uatee

Age: 54 Years

Gender: Male

Country of Origin: Solomon Islands

Doctor: Dr. Srikanth Reddy Sunkara

Hospital: Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, India

Treatment: L3–L4 and L4–L5 Tubular Decompression

Watch Mr. John Uatee share his full experience in the video below

For Mr. John Uatee, a 54-year-old from the Solomon Islands, back pain had gradually become a part of everyday life.

It started as a dull ache in his lower back, something he could manage at first. Over time, however, the pain became more difficult to ignore. Standing for long periods was uncomfortable, walking even moderate distances became tiring, and the pain began travelling down his legs. Everyday activities such as getting out of bed, sitting through a meal, or moving around his home became increasingly difficult.

Mr. John Uatee was also living with Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure, making the search for appropriate treatment more complex.

Treatment in the Solomon Islands provided some temporary relief, but the pain continued to affect his daily life. With limited access to specialised care, he needed further evaluation and treatment outside the country.

As he began looking for treatment options abroad, Mr. John Uatee was introduced to Vaidam Health through a local contact in the Solomon Islands. He shared his MRI scans, medical reports and treatment history with the Vaidam team, and the team spoke with him and his son to understand his condition, previous treatment and concerns about travelling abroad for surgery.

His reports were shared with spine specialists in India for medical opinions. The assessments showed lumbar spondylosis with disc prolapse at the L3–L4 and L4–L5 levels, causing compression of the nerves in the lower back. Among the treatment options discussed, minimally invasive decompression surgery was recommended.

After considering the options, Mr. John Uatee chose to consult Dr. Srikanth Reddy Sunkara, a Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad.

Before travelling to India, the Vaidam team helped coordinate the doctor consultation, hospital appointment and treatment schedule. A detailed treatment cost estimate was also shared with the family so they could understand the expected expenses before making travel arrangements.

The team assisted with the visa invitation letter and the Indian medical visa process for Mr. John Uatee, as well as the attendant visa for his son. They were also guided on the medical documents and other paperwork required for their journey.

In August 2026, Mr. John Uatee travelled to Hyderabad with his son.

A Vaidam representative received them at the airport and helped arrange accommodation close to Apollo Hospitals. During their stay, the team also assisted with local transportation, a local SIM card, currency exchange and food arrangements. Having local support meant that hospital visits, appointments and other practical matters could be managed more easily during their time in Hyderabad.

At Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Srikanth Reddy Sunkara examined Mr. John Uatee and reviewed his imaging. The diagnosis of lumbar spondylosis with L3–L4 and L4–L5 prolapsed intervertebral discs was confirmed.

His other health conditions were also taken into consideration before surgery. Relevant specialists and the anaesthesia team evaluated Mr. John Uatee and reviewed his medications, blood pressure, and overall fitness for surgery.

On 21 August 2026, he underwent L3–L4 and L4–L5 tubular decompression under general anaesthesia.

The procedure used a minimally invasive tubular approach to relieve pressure on the affected nerves. Through a smaller access point, the surgeon removed the tissue causing the compression and decompressed the nerves.

The following day, Mr. John Uatee was stable, eating normally and able to walk. His pain remained under control, and he was discharged on 22 August 2026, one day after the surgery.

His regular medicines for Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure were continued, along with the medicines prescribed after surgery. A post-operative follow-up consultation was also arranged.

For the remainder of his stay in Hyderabad, Vaidam continued to assist with the practical aspects of his recovery. The team helped coordinate follow-up hospital visits, transportation, communication with the hospital and other local requirements, while remaining available to Mr. John Uatee and his son when assistance was needed.

They stayed in India for about a month before returning to the Solomon Islands.

By the time he prepared to return home, Mr. John Uatee was moving more comfortably after his treatment and looked forward to returning to his family and familiar surroundings.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. John Uatee said:

“I came to India in pain and with a lot of fear because it was far from home and everything was new to me. Vaidam took that fear away. They found the right doctor for me, explained every cost honestly, and someone was with my son and me from the airport to the hospital and back. Dr. Srikanth Reddy did the surgery, and I was walking the next day. I thank Vaidam from my heart; they treated us like family, not like patients.”

For Mr. John Uatee and his son, the journey involved more than the surgery. It included arranging medical opinions, selecting a suitable doctor and hospital, understanding treatment costs, obtaining visas, planning travel, arranging accommodation and local transportation, coordinating hospital visits, supporting admission and discharge, and organising follow-up care.

Vaidam’s assistance continued throughout their stay in India, helping the family manage the practical aspects of receiving medical treatment in another country. The coordination services were provided at no additional cost to the patient.

Mr. John Uatee’s journey from the Solomon Islands to India for spine surgery reflects the importance of having the right medical guidance and practical support when treatment requires international travel.

He and his son returned home after spending about a month in India, carrying with them the experience of a successful treatment journey and the hope of a more comfortable daily life.

Vaidam Health wishes Mr. John Uatee continued recovery, good health and greater comfort in the days ahead. The team is grateful to Mr. John Uatee and his son for placing their trust in Vaidam during their journey to India.