Experts highlight urgent need to establish liver transplant services in J&K, sound alarm on liver disease epidemic

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, APRIL 24(STC): There is urgent need to establish liver transplant services in J&K, citing the increasing burden of liver disease. Preventive strategies and effective management of Hepatitis B and C and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) are critical to addressing this public health challenge.
Prof Subhash Ghosh, President of IASG, stated this in his
keynote address the evolution of liver transplants in India during the on Mid-Term Conference of the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology (IASG) on Saturday.
The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at SKIMS hosted the Conference, which centred on the theme ‘HPB Cancer Management. The Conference was organised under the aegis of the Indian Society of Surgical Gastroenterology (IASG) and 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).
In a statement issued to media, the SKIMS said the event brought together leading experts in liver, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancer care from across the country.
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.
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. (STC)