A two-day hands-on endoscopy workshop, Amrita GI Endo Meet (A-GEM), was held at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences during January 16–17, 2016. The workshop aimed at teaching specialized endoscopic procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of certain gastrointestinal disorders, to upcoming gastrointestinal physicians from across the country. 

Dr. Russell Brown, Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago, USA, led the event. The guest speakers included nationally renowned Gastroenterologists Dr. Vikram Bhatia, Consultant, Fortis Escorts, New Delhi and Dr. Sundeep Lakhtakia, Consultant, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad.

“Since Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences is a premier institute of medical sciences, it is the department’s goal to disseminate state of the art techniques to young physicians,” said Dr. Rama P. Venu, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Rama P. Venu stated that through this highly educational workshop they aim to enhance the technical knowhow of young physicians on the treatment options of gastrointestinal disorders using an endoscope, thus obviating the need for extensive surgery. “Since gastrointestinal disorders are on the rise in India, especially certain kinds of cancers such as pancreatic and colon cancer, endoscopic evaluation aids in the early detection and even removal of early cancers. Compared to surgery, these options are cost-effective for the patient and considerably reduce the time spent in the hospital, thus having a profound impact on the outcome and life expectancy of the patient,” said Dr. Rama P Venu.

This workshop conducted by the Department of Gastroenterology at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, is the only hands-on workshop in the country.

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Amrita GI Endo Meet (A-GEM) 2016