Vaidam Health-Solomon Islands’ first patient recovering well after successful neck surgery in India

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A new channel to access quality medical treatment in India has seen its first patient recovering well after a successful neck surgery.

Vaidam Health – Solomon Islands is an organisation which helps facilitate medical treatment in India, covering transport to and from India, accommodation and engagements with hospitals in India.

The first Solomon Islander patient, who travelled to India under the Vaidam Health – SI, is recovering well after a successful neck surgery performed on Thursday this week at Artemis Hospital in India.

Dr Pedical Togamae, an experienced Emergency Doctor from the Togamae Private Emergency Clinic is the Vaidam Health agent in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Mr Togamae said it took only six days from arrival to surgery, which is good for the patient, and relatives are overwhelmed with the news.

“Speaking with him yesterday brought great joy to the Vaidam Health Solomon team,” Togamae said.

According to the timeline of the patient’s journey, on August 27, he was examined by a private doctor in Guadalcanal Province in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Togamae said that the patient then underwent an ultrasound and CT scan at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and contacted Dr Togamaeto to discuss his health issue.

“During our conversation, we discussed the likely diagnosis, the additional tests needed to be performed, and how soon those tests could be conducted at NRH. After our discussion, he decided to seek medical investigation and treatment in India,” Dr Togamae said.

The patient arrived in India on September 12 and met with the head and neck surgeon later that same afternoon.

“All necessary blood tests were conducted on his arrival day, while an MRI and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) were performed the following day,” Togamae said.

He was reviewed on Tuesday, September 16 and surgery was scheduled for Thursday, September 18.

He was admitted early Thursday morning, and the surgery proceeded without any complications.

Preparing the required travel documents took 14 days, and these documents included:

1. Passports

2. Indian medical e-visa (took 48-72 hours from the time we submitted to the time it was available)

3. Airlines Medical Fitness Report (for Air Niugini and Singapore) – it took 24-48 hours from the time submitted to be ready.

Dr Togamaeto, the patient, is expected to be discharged on Saturday or Sunday, 21st September 2025.

“We are excited to announce that Dr Pedical Togamae, an experienced Emergency Doctor from the Togamae Private Emergency Clinic, is now our agent in Honiara, Solomon Islands!

“Togamae is enthusiastic about enhancing healthcare options for fellow islanders seeking treatment in India. He recently toured hospitals that have successfully treated Vaidam Health patients.

“During a recent trip to India, he served as an escort doctor for a patient at Max Hospital through Medivisor, another similar scheme, gaining valuable insights into the care available for Solomon Islands patients,” said Vaidam Health – Solomon Islands.

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