Experts at SKIMS sound alarm on liver disease epidemic

Srinagar, Apr 12: The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at SKIMS successfully hosted the Mid-Term Conference of the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology (IASG) on Saturday.

A statement of SKIMS issued here said that centred on the theme ‘HPB Cancer Management, the event brought together leading experts in liver, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancer care from across the country.

Organised under the aegis of the Indian Society of Surgical Gastroenterology (IASG), the conference was inaugurated by Padamshree Prof BN Gangadhar President National Medical Council of India and Prof Muhammad Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS & EOSG in the presence of Prof Sujoy Paul HOD GI Surgery AIIMS New Delhi (General Secretay), Prof G M Gulzar (Organising Chairman) and Prof Sadaf Ali (Organising Secretary).

The chief guest for the event Dr B N Gangadhar, Chairman of the National Medical Commission highlighted the role of SKIMS in the national contribution of academics, research and patient care. While congratulating the department for hosting the event, he said SKIMS should lead the region in these mandates.

Prof Subhash Ghosh, President of IASG, delivered a keynote address on the evolution of liver transplants in India.

He underscored the urgent need to establish liver transplant services in J&K, citing the increasing burden of liver disease.

He stressed that preventive strategies and effective management of Hepatitis B and C and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) are critical to addressing this public health challenge.

Designed as a Continuing Medical Education (CME) initiative, the conference featured the latest insights on diagnostics, surgical techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches to HPB oncology. Faculty from premier institutions such as AIIMS New Delhi, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) Mumbai, and SGPGI Lucknow shared their experiences in treating complex HPB malignancies.

Keynote speakers Prof Subhash Gupta (President, IASG) and Prof Sujoy Pal (Secretary, IASG), along with other eminent specialists, highlighted evidence-based practices and emerging trends in the field.