By | Meer Iqbal
Srinagar— Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) marked a significant academic milestone by hosting the Mid-Term Conference of the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology (IASG) from April 12–13, 2025. Centered around the theme “HPB Cancer Management,” the high-profile event brought together some of India’s foremost experts in liver, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancers.
The conference was inaugurated under the aegis of IASG by Padma Shri Prof. B.N. Gangadhar, President of the National Medical Commission, alongside Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS & EOSG. Also present were Prof. Sujoy Pal, HOD GI Surgery, AIIMS New Delhi (General Secretary, IASG), Prof. G.M. Gulzar (Organizing Chairman), and Prof. Sadaf Ali (Organizing Secretary).
In his inaugural address, Dr. Gangadhar commended SKIMS for its vital contributions to research, academics, and patient care. “SKIMS must continue to lead the region in healthcare innovation and capacity-building,” he emphasized.
Prof. Subhash Ghosh, President of IASG, delivered a compelling keynote address on the evolution of liver transplantation in India. He highlighted the urgent need to establish liver transplant services in Jammu & Kashmir, citing the alarming rise in liver diseases. He further stressed the importance of preventive care and efficient management of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) as essential to addressing this growing public health concern.
The conference, designed as a Continuing Medical Education (CME) initiative, offered in-depth sessions on cutting-edge diagnostics, surgical techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) oncology. Distinguished faculty from premier institutions like AIIMS New Delhi, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai, and SGPGI Lucknow shared their experiences managing complex HPB malignancies.
A key attraction was the live demonstration of advanced surgical procedures, including laparoscopic and robotic interventions, offering hands-on exposure to modern surgical excellence.
In his remarks, Prof. Subhash Gupta (President, IASG) highlighted the significance of continuous innovation and collaboration in enhancing cancer care outcomes across India. Prof. Sujoy Pal, General Secretary of IASG, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing evidence-based practices and emerging trends in HPB cancer treatment.
The conference witnessed enthusiastic participation from medical faculty, postgraduates, and practicing clinicians, reaffirming SKIMS’s position as a hub of academic excellence and specialized patient care.
The event will continue on April 13 with focused sessions on pancreatic cancer, aimed at fostering deeper clinical insights and collaborative knowledge exchange.
