A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Healing: Mrs. Lucille Lapa’s Knee Replacement Story

In a small community in Papua New Guinea, Mrs. Lucille Lapa, a devoted pastor, spent years serving others with unwavering faith. However, her ability to move freely and continue her mission was hindered by severe osteoarthritis of the knee with deformity. The pain grew unbearable, limiting her mobility and making everyday tasks a struggle. Despite her resilience, the lack of advanced treatment options in her home country forced her to seek alternatives abroad.

The Search for the Right Treatment

Lucille’s journey to healing was not an easy one. She initially explored treatment in Australia but was faced with exorbitant costs. What she truly needed was an affordable yet high-quality bilateral knee replacement in India, with long-lasting implants and experienced surgeons to ensure a successful outcome. Her family took to the internet in search of a solution, and it was one of her daughters in Australia who discovered HOSPIDIO. The recommendation was further strengthened by a close family friend who had previously sought medical care through Hospidio and had nothing but positive experiences to share.

Choosing HOSPIDIO – A Decision of Trust

With thorough research and multiple discussions, Lucille and her family chose HOSPIDIO due to their transparent communication, detailed cost breakdowns, and efficient assistance. Right from the first interaction, the team patiently answered all their questions about hospitals, surgeons, expected recovery, and post-surgery rehabilitation. The family took their time to raise funds and finally made the decision to travel to India for treatment at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.

A Race Against Time – The Journey to India

Lucille’s travel arrangements were not without challenges. Due to a delay in passport renewal, she and her two daughters had to apply for visas at the very last moment. It seemed nearly impossible, but thanks to HOSPIDIO’s relentless efforts, the visa was miraculously approved just in time. The team also arranged accommodation and airport pickup, ensuring that the family arrived stress-free. Upon landing in India, they were amazed by the country's rich cultural diversity—a blend of languages, cuisines, and vibrant traditions.

The Surgery & Hospital Experience

At Artemis Hospital, Lucille was under the expert care of Dr. Ramkinkar Jha, a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon. The hospital conducted all necessary pre-surgical investigations and explained the surgery plan in detail, ensuring that Lucille felt confident about the procedure. Throughout the hospital stay, HOSPIDIO’s operations team remained by their side, assisting with investigations, pre-surgical counseling, admission, discharge, and post-surgery rehabilitation planning. Remarkably, there were no major challenges, and even the rehabilitation sessions were seamlessly arranged at the apartment where the family was staying.

A Transformative Recovery

Before the surgery, Lucille was bound to a wheelchair, unable to walk independently. After the procedure, she stood on her feet with the aid of a walker. With continued rehabilitation, she progressed to walking independently and now only uses a walking stick when climbing stairs. She continues rehabilitation to strengthen her gait and alleviate glute pain, but the transformation has been nothing short of a miracle. HOSPIDIO ensured that she had regular follow-ups, including post-operative video consultations once she returned home to Papua New Guinea. The journey was made complete with a memorable visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, a cherished experience for the family.

A Heartfelt Thank You to HOSPIDIO

Lucille’s words best express the impact of her journey:

“One of my pilot sons and his wife introduced my family to HOSPIDIO when they heard of my struggle with advanced knee osteoarthritis. Their testimony about the professional medical travel assistance they received convinced us to communicate with Guneet in early February 2024.That was the beginning of our communication. I must say Guneet was God-sent—she was patient, understanding, and answered all our questions about hospitals, costs, transport arrangements, accommodation, etc. Even when we had a last-minute visa problem, she worked around the clock to get it sorted just a couple of days before travel.The first time I met Guneet, Asfan, and Ashu, we felt safe and entrusted everything in their capable hands. My daughters, Merlinda and Pamela, worked tirelessly with them to make everything comfortable. You have become my Indian family, and I will think of you and pray that God's abundant blessings be upon you and your family, and HOSPIDIO—that God will bring more clients.My surgery has been successful, and I am going back happy. Now I will be able to do things I couldn't do before. THANK YOU, GUNEET AND TEAM AT HOSPIDIO. I WILL DEFINITELY PROMOTE HOSPIDIO IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 🇵🇬"

Inspiring Others to Seek Quality Medical Care

Lucille’s journey serves as an inspiration to many who might be hesitant about seeking medical treatment abroad. Her advice to future patients:

✔ Do your research, but trust the process. Finding the right facilitators like HOSPIDIO can make all the difference.

✔ Have faith and be patient. Challenges may arise, but with the right support, everything can be managed.

✔ Invest in your health. The ability to regain mobility and live pain-free is truly priceless.

Lucille’s story is not just about a successful knee replacement—it’s about faith, perseverance, and the power of compassionate care. Thanks to HOSPIDIO’s end-to-end assistance, she is now ready to step into a new chapter of life—one where she can walk freely, continue her pastoral duties, and inspire many others with her testimony.

Watch Her Story & Connect with Lucille

Lucille’s video testimonial and recovery videos are available on our social media channels and YouTube. She is also available to speak to anyone who is looking for guidance or feedback regarding medical travel and knee replacement procedures. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to connect with her through HOSPIDIO!