Patient Details

Name: Mr. Abdulai Jalloh

Age: 65 Years

Gender: Male

Country of Origin: Sierra Leone

Doctor: Dr. Jayesh Sardhara

Hospital: Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India

Treatment: Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression and Stabilisation

Watch Mr. Abdulai Jalloh’s son share their full experience in the video below

For four years, Mr. Abdulai Jalloh, a 65-year-old man from Sierra Leone, was living with persistent lower back pain. What started as occasional discomfort gradually began affecting his everyday life. Standing for long periods, walking even short distances, and sitting comfortably became difficult. Despite taking treatment in his home country, the pain continued.

As the discomfort persisted, Mr. Abdulai and his family began exploring spine treatment options outside Sierra Leone. India became one option they considered because of its established hospitals and experienced specialists who treat patients worldwide.

However, travelling to another country for treatment came with many questions. Mr. Abdulai wanted to know whether surgery was the right option for him, which hospital he could trust, how much the treatment would cost, and how he and his family would manage their stay in a country they had never visited before.

The turning point came when Vaidam Health organised an OPD camp in Sierra Leone. Mr. Abdulai attended the camp and consulted Dr. Jayesh Sardhara at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai. 

Dr. Sardhara carefully reviewed his medical history and reports and explained the reason behind his ongoing back pain. After evaluating his condition, he advised minimally invasive lumbar decompression and stabilisation.

For Mr. Abdulai, the consultation provided something he had been looking for a long time: a clear understanding of his condition and a treatment plan explained to him in person.

After the camp, the Vaidam Health team remained in regular contact with Mr. Abdulai and his family. They helped him understand the proposed treatment, expected length of stay, estimated treatment cost, hospital arrangements, and recovery process. 

The team also answered his questions about travelling to India, the surgery, and what to expect during recovery. With greater clarity about the treatment and the support available to him, Mr. Abdulai decided to travel to Mumbai for his spine surgery.

Vaidam Health then assisted Mr. Abdulai and his son with the practical arrangements for their medical trip. The support included the medical visa invitation letter, airport pickup, accommodation assistance, appointment scheduling, hospital coordination, interpreter support, and day-to-day assistance during their stay. A dedicated Vaidam case manager also remained available throughout their journey.

Mr. Abdulai travelled to Mumbai with his son, who stayed by his side throughout the trip. After they arrived, the Vaidam team helped coordinate his consultation and pre-surgery investigations at Fortis Hospital, Mulund. Once the medical team confirmed that he was fit for the procedure, Dr. Jayesh Sardhara performed minimally invasive lumbar decompression and stabilisation.

In lumbar decompression, the surgeon relieves pressure on the nerves in the lower spine. Spinal stabilisation involves supporting the treated spinal segment with implants to help maintain its stability. 

Unlike traditional open surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery is performed through smaller incisions, reducing disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. Depending on the patient's condition and recovery, this approach may also allow earlier movement and a shorter hospital stay.

Mr. Abdulai's recovery progressed under the hospital team's guidance. He was gradually mobilised, started physiotherapy, and received instructions on posture, walking, and exercises to continue after returning home.

During his 15-day stay in India, the Vaidam team remained in regular contact with Mr. Abdulai and his son. The team helped coordinate appointments and assisted them with their day-to-day needs during the recovery period. 

Before returning to Sierra Leone, Mr. Abdulai attended his follow-up consultation with Dr. Jayesh Sardhara and received a recovery and physiotherapy plan to continue at home.

Looking back on his spine surgery journey in India, Mr. Abdulai shared:

“For four years, back pain decided what I could and could not do. Meeting Dr. Jayesh Sardhara at the camp gave me clear answers for the first time. The Vaidam team then handled everything from my visa letter and travel to hospital appointments and our stay in Mumbai, so my son and I could focus only on my treatment. They checked on us every day, and we didn't have to worry about anything. I am very thankful to Vaidam and to the doctors at Fortis Mulund.”

For Mr. Abdulai, the journey marked an important step towards getting back to the everyday activities that had become difficult because of his long-standing back pain. With his treatment completed and recovery continuing at home, he can now focus on regaining his strength and returning to a more comfortable routine with his family in Sierra Leone.

Vaidam Health wishes Mr. Abdulai Jalloh a steady recovery, greater comfort, and many happy years with his family in Sierra Leone. It was a privilege to support him and his son throughout their medical journey in India.