Patients who travelled to India, in their own words
Every story names the treatment, the hospital and the month it happened. How we verify a story
Video storyVerified patient
Riyadh’s Successful Facial Tumour Treatment in India: A Patient Journey from Iraq
For Ali Khudr and his son Riyadh, finding the right treatment was a long and difficult journey.
Riyadh, from Nineveh Governorate in Iraq, had been suffering from a swelling in the right side of his face. His family first sought treatment locally, where he underwent two procedures. However, the problem returned, and the family remained concerned about finding a lasting solution.
They consulted hospitals and doctors in different places, including Erbil, Baghdad and Turkey. After being advised to consider treatment in India, the family decided to travel to New Delhi in search of more advanced medical facilities and specialist care.
Searching for the Right Hospital in India:
After arriving in New Delhi, the family visited around five hospitals to understand their treatment options. They eventually chose Paris Hospital and consulted Dr. Piyush Kumar.
According to Riyadh and his father, the hospital offered the specialised equipment and medical facilities they were looking for. The family also appreciated the support provided by the medical team and their interpreter during the treatment journey.
A Carefully Planned Treatment:
Riyadh explains that his treatment included an interventional vascular procedure (angiographic embolisation/catheter-based treatment) before the main surgery.
The transcript describes the family being told that the procedure was performed to address the blood vessels supplying the tumour before surgery. Around 40 hours later, Riyadh underwent the operation.
He stayed in the hospital for approximately six days, with the overall treatment journey taking around 10–15 days according to the family.
Successful Recovery:
Riyadh and his father describe the surgery as successful. They were particularly pleased with the treatment outcome and the appearance of his face after the procedure.
The family also recalls that there had previously been concerns about whether the tumour could be cancerous. According to the doctors' assessment described in the video, the tumour was found to be benign rather than malignant.
Riyadh says he was comfortable during his hospital stay and appreciated the care provided by the doctors, nurses and other medical staff.
Riyadh’s Experience as a Nursing Student:
Riyadh is also a second-year nursing student at the University of Mosul. This gave him a perspective on both the medical treatment and the nursing care he received.
He describes differences in hospital systems and medical equipment between Iraq and India, particularly the availability of specialised equipment needed for his procedure. He says the medical and nursing staff in India treated him well throughout his stay.
A Family’s Journey from Iraq to India:
For Riyadh and his father, travelling to another country for medical treatment was not an easy decision. After experiencing unsuccessful procedures and consulting hospitals in several locations, they travelled to India hoping to find specialised care.
Their experience highlights the importance of finding an appropriate specialist, understanding the available treatment options and choosing a hospital with the required medical facilities.
Today, Riyadh and his family are grateful to the doctors, nurses, hospital staff and interpreter who supported them throughout their treatment journey in India.
Their story is a reminder that for international patients, the journey to treatment is not only about the procedure itself—it is also about finding the right medical team, receiving clear guidance and feeling supported throughout the process.
Nasser Abdul Ridha’s Journey to Adrenal Surgery in India
From Iraq to India: Nasser Abdul Ridha’s Adrenal Surgery Journey
Nasser Abdul Ridha from Al Muthanna Governorate, Iraq, travelled to India after consulting several doctors in Iraq without finding a clear treatment solution for his condition.
His search eventually led him to Dr. Shafeeq, who evaluated his condition and recommended surgery. With guidance and support from Marlin Medical Assistance, Nasser was able to navigate his treatment journey in India and connect with the appropriate medical team.
Preparing for Treatment:
Nasser had an adrenal gland tumour that was affecting his blood pressure and heart rate. Before surgery, his medical team carefully managed these issues and prepared him for the procedure.
After the necessary preparation, Nasser underwent robotic adrenal gland surgery.
A Smooth Recovery:
According to the treating doctor, the surgery went smoothly, with Nasser blood pressure remaining controlled during the procedure.
After surgery, Nasser recovered well, and his blood pressure and heart rate were under control.
Nasser’s Experience:
Speaking about his experience, Nasser expressed his gratitude to Dr. Shafeeq and the medical team for their care.
“First, I thank God. Secondly, I thank Dr. Shafeeq. May God bless him. His treatment and care were very good.”
For Nasser, travelling from Iraq to India was an important step in his treatment journey. With Marlin Medical Assistance supporting him along the way, he was able to focus on his treatment while receiving assistance with navigating care in India.
Successful Bone Marrow Transplant at Medanta: A Family’s Journey from Iraq
Haider from Iraq shares his daughter’s bone marrow transplant journey at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram.
I am Haider, and I came to India from Iraq for my daughter’s treatment. She was diagnosed with blood cancer, specifically leukemia, and the recommended treatment was a bone marrow transplant.
Naturally, we had many concerns and apprehensions about the transplant. We were unsure about how the procedure would be carried out and what the overall experience would be like.
A friend of ours, Fadi, an Iraqi living in India, advised us to come to Medanta. Following his recommendation, we decided to seek treatment there.
At Medanta, we met Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav , who guided us throughout the treatment process. His guidance and reassurance helped reduce our stress and gave us confidence during a very difficult time.
Thankfully, everything went well. Today, my daughter is being discharged after successfully completing her treatment, and we are very happy with her progress.
We are grateful to the doctor and the entire team at Medanta for the care and support they provided throughout our daughter’s treatment.
Based on our experience, we would advise other families seeking appropriate treatment and care to consider Medanta.
A story of patient from Iraq treated for heart surgery
Watch the video interview of Patient from Iraq sharing their medical treatment experience and successful recovery in India with Marlin Medical Assistance.
Coming to India for my orthopedic surgery was a big decision, but I’m glad I made it. The team guided me throughout my treatment at Medanta – The Medicity and made me feel comfortable and cared for.
I came from Nigeria in October 2012 with hope, and I returned home happy and grateful. Thank you to everyone in Marlin Medical Asssitance who supported me during my journey.
Zainab, 27, Lagos, Nigeria
Finger Surgery, Medanta the Medicity, October 2012
Patient from Uzbekistan Received Successful Ptosis surgery in India
I am writing to express my profound gratitude for the exceptional care and successful surgery my young son received in India for his ptosis condition. As a father from Uzbekistan, entrusting my son's health to a medical team in a foreign country was a difficult decision, but it has proven to be the best one we ever made.
From our arrival, we were welcomed with extraordinary kindness and professionalism by Team Marlin Medical Assistance at airport. The doctors and staff took the time to explain every detail of the procedure, ensuring we were comfortable and informed. The surgery was a tremendous success, and the difference in my son's condition is remarkable. His vision has significantly improved, and he is now much more confident and happy. Dr. Anita seth has done the surgery.
The post-operative care was equally impressive, with regular check-ins and thorough follow-up. The dedication and skill of the medical team were evident throughout our stay. My son now has a bright and promising future, thanks to the outstanding treatment he received.
We are deeply grateful to the entire team of Marlin Medical Assistance and medical staff for their expertise, compassion, and unwavering support and I would highly recommend Marlin to any family in need of ptosis surgery for their child. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
- Ulugbek, Uzbekistan
Retinoblastoma had changed my son's life but Indian doctors saved from other damage: Mr Yusuf Iraq
My name is Yusuf hailed from Iraq and I am 40 years old. I have a son name Salman Iraq, He is 6 years old now. But when he was six weeks old he was diagnosed with the eye cancer retinoblastoma and within a month his eye was removed. When he was three weeks old I noticed something wasn’t right with his left eye but I couldn’t see that but eventually we figure out there is something wrong with my son's eye. We met a doctor and she told us about the long term effects of retinoblastoma.
It is a type of eye cancer that affects the retina- the inner layer of the eye. Normally the nerve cells sense light in retina and send images to the brain and allow us to see but retinoblastoma causes tumors when the nerve cells grow out of control and the brain cannot communicate with the eye as it should. This disease mostly happens in children younger than 2 years as my son. This disease retinoblastoma had changed my son’s life but Indian doctors saved from other damage when I visited India for the treatment.
I took my son to Artemis hospital-one of the best eye cancer hospital. The ophthalmologist (an eye doctor for children) and oncologist (a children’s cancer doctor) worked together as a team to treat my child. They make a care plan based on the tumor and tried to get rid of cancer. The treatment they did had changed my son’s life and they even focus on the side effects that can cause after treatment. I am very thankful to this hospital that saved my son’s life. I would recommend every parent to go in this hospital for regular checkups because retinoblastoma is life changing but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Unfortunately doctors didn’t save the eye of my son and now he is going to blind school. I am happy to see this. From no hope to real result.
Happy and Fit Again After an Open Heart Surgery, Monique Mato Shares Her Experience of a Medical Trip to India
50-year-old Monique Mato suffered from prolonged chest pain and shortness of breath. Knowing not what was causing such conditions and apprehending a cardiac disease, Mato underwent an angiogram in his home country, Kenya, where it was found that there was blockage of arteries in her heart. Looking for the best treatment options, she, thereafter, came to India for her treatment.
Mr. Kasimov Abdulgani, Uzbekistan Cardiac Bypass Surgery
For our family, my father’s congestive heart disease was a frightening experience as we were not sure of his chances of survival. We had no access to insurance and hence the cost of top USA doctors and hospitals was simply unaffordable to us. Time was running out for us and finding out a reliable treatment within our costs had become our main objective. We surfed the internet and found that most of the highly experienced heart disease doctors and treatments were beyond our reach, while others less costly options were not preferable due to lack of experienced doctors and medical facilities. Then, fortunately for us, we came to know about this website Marlin Safe Med Journey (MSMJ) and we found that the facilities for congestive heart disease treatments were top class and what surprises us the most was that the cost of the treatment.
So, we started the process by contacting the website. A friendly voice on phone requested us to fill an online form with requisite details, which we promptly sent to them and gave a brief description of my father’s medical condition and our estimated cost. After few hours passed, we were asked to email them medical reports for opinion from India’s heart specialists. Soon, we got the news from them that they will treat my father and the cost they told was unbelievably cheap. What surprised and shocked me was that the cost included everything – right from arriving in India, traveling for the treatment, staying and one person could stay with my father in the hospital until the treatment was over.
I experienced no hassles as a case manager had taken care of our air tickets, visa, passport etc. At the airport, the website people received us, eliminating the worries of finding out the hospital location etc. we were directly rushed to the hospital where they had already kept a room booked and all the formalities about admission of my father were promptly completed. This immediately made us comfortable. We came to know that the heart surgeon was in fact, was USA-trained and highly qualified for the surgery. Once the doctors finished with necessary tests, they prepared my father for surgery. The doctors explained in a very friendly way to us every treatment step to our satisfaction.
After the surgery, we had to stay back in India as doctors want to make sure that everything was fine with my father post surgery. My father is now doing very well and is healthy, thanks to the MSMJ and the heart surgeons and all those kind and helping people. You certainly made this surgery possible for us.
After unsuccessful treatments from Turkey, Medanta gave me almost second life: Tabatha Haider, Iraq
My name Tabatha Haider from Iraq and I am 44 years old. When I was 18, I was addicted to drinking. For 5 years, I drank a lot and it results in liver cancer. I consult with my doctor in Turkey and they said I have cancerous cells inside my liver and they can spread from one body part to another. I started my treatment in Turkey but unfortunately, they weren’t able to cure my disease. I started searching for a good hospital in Turkey and even outside it. Eventually, I came to know there is a hospital in India name Medanta the Medicity through Marlin Medical Assistance. I went to India for my treatment.
I came to know the cancer institute at Medanta is a one-stop destination for solutions to all cancer patients. With high technologies like CyberKnife VSI robotic radiosurgery, ICRT, VMAT, Tomotherapy and other high-end equipment, this hospital is providing the best treatment to cancer patients. I lost all my hope before reaching Medanta but at Medanta I was treated very well. This hospital focuses on the patient first approach and for this, they formed a Disease Management Group to cancer care.
Following are the main Centers of Excellence
Heart Institute
Institute of Neurosciences
Bone & Joint Institute
Kidney & Urology Institute
Cancer Institute
Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology
This is true that after unsuccessful treatments from Turkey, Medanta gave me an almost second life and I will never forget the doctors, Marlin, their team, and their positive attitude towards every patient. When world-class healthcare meets world-class technology it comes up something unique. This is what this hospital is, delivering world-class health care in India at an affordable rate. My cancer is gone now completely and I am thankful to the entire Marlin and hospital team who helped me in this journey.
I had some disorders, which had an impact on my nervous system, and doctors advised me to go for neurosurgery treatment. However, while the standards of surgery here in the USA are great, the huge costs of surgery were an issue for me. My good luck was that I was told by one of my friends about the website Marlin Medical Assistance and surprisingly everything was so convenient thereafter for me. I submitted my medical history documents and got an opinion from top Indian doctors. The website came up with unbelievably very cheap costs for the such highly skilled job of surgeons.
I must thank the website people who handle the documents that allow me to visit India for treatment and received me right at the airport. My stay at the hospital during the surgery period was extremely comfortable and the staff took great care of me.
I have regained my health and am in great physical and mental shape and enjoying life since the surgery. My many thanks to the surgeons and great staff people at the hospital.
Mr. Tolkien, Uzbekistan, who underwent deep brain stimulation surgery
I was advised by doctors in Uzbekistan to have deep brain stimulation surgery to implant a brain pacemaker so that specific parts of my brain can receive the signals. This was necessary to avoid brain disorders as the pacemaker can control brain activity. However, for me a worry some factor was that the medical facility for such a crucial surgery in my country was not available and the costs were already too high.
Fortunately, I came across this website Marlin Medical Assistance and they helped me out. Just as I submitted an online form at their website, everything went on smoothly for me. I emailed my medical history and top doctors agreed to put me under surgery. The website told me about the unbelievably low costs of the surgery. The site people arranged for my visa and formalities and came to the airport to receive me. They made my stay at the hospital entirely comfortable and the surgeons were top-class. I am now extremely fine and enjoying life. Please accept my many thanks for such affordable global medical facilities.
Story of Gulistan Fadhil who came to India for Kidney Transplant
I am writing to thank all those who helped me during my stay in India for successful kidney transplant surgery. Today, I am in excellent health condition and my kidneys functioning well. Nevertheless, I must thank to Marlin Medical Assistance for making my trip to India and the treatment in the hospital so comfortable and convenient. I was suffering from severe kidney failure and this was causing damage to my family emotionally and financially. When we contacted the website, everything fell into place for us as they sorted out all matters for us within a few hours. They asked us to send the reports via email for the opinions of top doctors. Then they told us about kidney replacement and its costs, which were affordable to us. The website people took us every care from arriving at the airport to the last day of our stay in India and the hospital. I am back in my country, thanking you for your great services and doctors.
Story of an Uzbekistanian who underwent Cardiac Bypass Surgery done
For our family, my father’s congestive heart disease was a frightening experience as we were not sure of his chances of survival. We had no access to insurance and hence the cost of top USA doctors and hospitals was simply unaffordable to us. Time was running out for us and finding out a reliable treatment within our costs had become our main objective. We surfed the internet and found that most of the highly experienced heart disease doctors and treatments were beyond our reach, while other less costly options were not preferable due to lack of experienced doctors and medical facilities. Then, fortunately for us, we came to know about this website, and we found that the facilities for congestive heart disease treatments were top-class what surprises us the most was the cost of the treatment, and it shocked us that the cost included everything – right from arriving in India, traveling for the treatment, and staying one person who could stay with my father in the hospital until the treatment was over.
I experienced no hassles as a case manager who had taken care of our air tickets, visa, passport, etc. Coming to the airport, we were directly rushed to the hospital where they had already kept a room booked and all the formalities about the admission of my father were promptly completed. This immediately made us comfortable. We came to know that the heart surgeon was in fact, USA-trained and highly qualified for the surgery. Once the doctors finished with the necessary tests, they prepared my father for surgery. The doctors explained in a very friendly way to us every treatment step to our satisfaction.
After the surgery, we had to stay back in India as doctors want to make sure that everything was fine with my father post-surgery. My father is now doing very well and is healthy, thanks to Mohammad Afzal and the heart surgeons and all those kind and helping people. You certainly made this surgery possible for us.
Ali Al-Mansoor’s Minimally Invasive Spine experience
Years of severe lumbar spine pain were resolved with minimally invasive disc surgery in India. The medical coordinator accompanied us from the airport to hospital discharge. Exceptional care and complete pricing transparency.
Finding specialized pediatric surgeons for our young daughter was stressful until we contacted Marlin. The surgeons were deeply compassionate, and the international patient hospital facilities were world-class.
Both knees were replaced in a single hospital admission with robotic surgical precision. The physical therapy was world-class, and we saved over 70% compared to treatment quotes in Europe.
The patient signed a consent form covering publication of their name, photograph and treatment, and the treatment date was confirmed against the hospital record before the story went live. Where the patient also posted a public review, we link to it so you can read it outside our site. We do not remove a story because it is critical.
Marlin is free to patients — so who pays you?+
Partner hospitals pay a coordination fee. It does not change what you are charged, and we will tell you the arrangement for any hospital we recommend if you ask.
Can I speak to a patient who had my operation?+
Sometimes. A few patients have agreed to take calls from people facing the same decision. Ask your coordinator and we will check.
Why are there no stories from my country?+
Because we have not collected them yet, not because there are no patients. We publish only what we can verify.
