Iraqi Patient’s Successful Treatment At Bhubaneswar’s SUMUM Raises Medical Tourism Hope

Bhubaneswar: Hassoon Owaid Oglah al-Shadawi, a 77-year-old Iraqi national suffering from a rare skull base disease, was successfully treated at SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) here.

His treatment has opened possibilities of medical tourism in Odisha, thanks to the expertise, quality of treatment and advanced medical infrastructure and facilities available in the hospital.

Al-Shadawi’s family had been exploring treatment in India after he was diagnosed with Central Skull Base Osteomyelitis in Iraq, where the rare condition could not be treated.

The family zeroed in on SUMUM and decided to fly the patient to the Odisha capital after consulting Dr Radhamadhab Sahu, Senior Consultant and Head of department of ENT & Skull Base Surgery in the hospital.

The diagnosis in Iraq was reconfirmed after some key investigations at SUMUM, and an elective lateral skull base surgery was planned to accelerate medical management.

A major surgery was conducted on Al-Shadawi, with neuro-anesthesist Dr Prasant Behera playing a vital role.

Dr Abhijit Raha, Senior Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, extended his support during the difficult surgery and in ensuring the patient’s recovery in ICU.

The 77-year-old patient was discharged from the hospital after eight days.

Dr Sahu said central skull base osteomyelitis is an uncommon disease, which usually starts from an ear infection involving the temporal bone and then spreads through the vessels in the bone marrow.

“It subsequently leads to infection of sphenoid bone, occipital bone and the clivus. This may occur due to bacteria or fungus mostly in persons with uncontrolled diabetes, immune-compromised and post-COVID patients,” he said.

The Iraqi national had recovered from COVID-19, but subsequently developed an ear infection which led to his condition.

“We got very good treatment in this hospital as the doctors and medical staff worked with a professional approach. We witnessed ethical treatment here with a humanitarian touch,” Al-Shadawi’s son Salman Hasoon Owaid said, through an interpreter.

According to the hospital’s CEO Dr Swetapadma Dash, this is possibly the first time that an overseas patient has come to Odisha for specialized medical treatment.

“It is a big thing for us that this patient came to SUMUM on a medical visa,” she said.

Dr Dash informed that SUMUM is constructing a separate wing with all facilities to house international patients and provide a boost to medical tourism.

“We are constantly pushing the boundaries of health care and redefining what is and isn’t possible. With the successful treatment of an international patient, we have unveiled a new chapter and I am sure with our advanced medical infrastructure, expertise in over 30 medical specialties, vigorous progress, accreditation, latest medical technology in a warm, comfortable, family focused environment, we can provide excellent medical care and harness Bhubaneswar’s potential as a medical and wellness tourism destination,” she said.

Dash further said it was the dream of SOA Founder President Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak to make available world-class health care in Bhubaneswar and the entire team of SUMUM is engaged in transforming this vision into reality.

“The success of the surgery speaks volumes about our capacity and competence,” she added.

Dr Sahu spelt out advantages of medical treatment in Odisha, including reduced cost, availability of latest medical technologies and compliance of international standards.