Dr Attri highlights summit's impact on Medical Education in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 12: Stating that almost 10-15 percent of people, irrespective of age, have a chance of getting a hernia in some form or the other in their lifetime, Prof Dr MR Attri, the Organising Secretary of the event and a distinguished Professor in the Department of Minimal Access & General Surgery at GMC Srinagar, revealed there are many such cases in Srinagar.

These figures, presented by one of the region's leading surgical experts, highlight the critical nature of the upcoming summit.

The prevalence rate cited by Dr Attri underscores the widespread nature of hernias, affecting a significant portion of the population across all age groups. His additional comment about the numerous cases in Srinagar specifically points to a local concern that the summit aims to address.

Speaking about the summit, "This is a national event offered to us by the Hernia Society of India. Their president, faculty, and secretary are here - all licensed in the field of hernia surgery," Dr. Attri explained.

"They will be operating here, demonstrating to our postgraduates, registrars, and surgeons from the periphery the latest in hernia surgery, how we can improve results and delivery to patients. Ultimately, this benefit is going to pass on to the public."

The summit featured live surgeries performed by top experts from across India, which was transmitted to the GMC Srinagar auditorium.

Dr Attri highlighted the calibre of participating surgeons, stating, "There are legends of hernia surgery coming, like Padmashri Dr Pradeep Chowbey, Dr Praveen Bhatia, Dr Rajesh Khullar, and Dr Sarfraz. Our President, Dr Vijay Borgaonkar, have come from Mumbai. They are all experts of hernia in the country with teaching experience of more than 30-35 years, purely on laparoscopic surgery."

Addressing the prevalence of hernias, Dr Attri noted, "Almost 10-15% of people, irrespective of age, have a chance of getting a hernia in some form or the other in their lifetime. And there are many such cases in Srinagar."

The summit is not only a platform for showcasing expertise but also a vital learning opportunity for medical students and professionals. Dr. Attri emphasized, "When top experts demonstrate like this, students are free to ask them questions. This becomes a lifelong lesson for them, and their surgical attitude develops. It goes a long way in their life so that ultimately the patient is benefited."

Dr Attri also highlighted the importance of such events for the medical community in Kashmir. "This is a very important aspect that the national body of Hernia Society of India has seen our work from the last 15-20 years. In Government Medical College Srinagar, every type of operation is done. They are our witness to our level of work."