Gastroenterology experts stress on disease prevention

The annual conclave of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG), concluded on Wednesday after four days of high-impact scientific exchange.

Hosted by the Punjab Chapter of ISG, the event drew leading experts from across India, specialists from the Mayo Clinic (US), senior faculty from the UK, and eminent academics from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS); Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh; AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad; Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon; and other major centres.

Among the central themes of this year’s meeting was the prevention of gastrointestinal and liver disorders. Experts reiterated that conditions such as celiac disease, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, lactose intolerance and nutrition-related problems can be reduced through early diagnosis, lifestyle changes and better public awareness.

Liver transplant specialist Dr AS Soin stressed that while liver transplant is a highly successful procedure, the real victory lies in preventing people from ever needing one.

The emphasis on prevention continued through sessions led by Dr Shiv Kumar Sareen (Liver Institute, New Delhi) and Dr Ajay Duseja (PGIMER), who shared guidelines for managing such diseases.

They underscored the urgent need to improve vaccination coverage for hepatitis A, B and E, and reiterated that hepatitis C, now curable, requires strict adherence to universal precautions.

PGIMER’s Dr Rakesh Kochhar raised concerns over the increasing number of corrosive ingestion injuries to the gut, calling for better regulations over hazardous substances, along with public education. Dr Ajit Sood, Head of department, gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, highlighted the rising prevalence of wheat allergy and celiac disease, advocating timely testing in symptomatic individuals.

The scientific programme focused on MASLD (metabolic liver disease), advances in therapeutic endoscopy and luminal gastroenterology and three rapidly evolving domains in current practice. Young researchers presented papers and posters.

Plenary sessions featuring Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, ISG President Dr Uday Chand Ghoshal, ISG Secretary General Dr Mathew Philip and Dr Usha Dutta (PGIMER) outlined emerging clinical evidence expected to shape gastroenterology in the coming decade.

Organising Secretary Dr Harpreet Singh thanked ISG leadership, faculty and delegates for making the conference academically outstanding and culturally memorable.