In a recent post on social media, West Bengal Chief Minister lauded a State-run hospital’s doctors for conducting 175 successful gall bladder surgeries in five days. But it also raised questions about the rising number of cases. Experts suggest lifestyle change and obesity are major causes behind this trend.
Dr. Dilip Todi, a Gastroenterology consultant at Narayana Hospital, Howrah, told The Hindu that even though gall bladder surgeries are one of the most common in India, the rising numbers are majorly due to major lifestyle change and obesity issues in the population. He added, “There is no abnormal surge in the cases, but we must understand that our food habits are changing, there is more fat in our food now. Hence, cholesterol and gall stones are increasing.”
Dr. Todi added that in Western countries, medical books say if a gallstone is asymptomatic then no intervention is required, but the same theory is not applicable in India. “The main reason for this is that gall bladder cancer is rare in Western countries, but it is one of the most common cancers in India,” the doctor said.
A doctor from the medical team at SSKM who conducted these surgeries said that this is a huge success for the doctors and the hospital. He added, “This is like our Kumbh mela. To help so many patients, the doctors and authorities have come together to take this visionary step. To conduct so many microsurgeries for numerous marginalised people who cannot access such high-end medical care, is a major landmark.”
Professor and doctor D.K. Sarkar who was part of the medical team in SSKM told The Hindu the trend in which the gallstone cases are rising in 18-22 year olds is alarming. He added, “This is a lifestyle disorder and fast food plays a major role. There are so many more pending cases even after so many operations, and the numbers will only rise in the coming days. We need a preventive approach towards this issue, otherwise this will soon go out of hand.”
Approximately 15 doctors and 60 other supporting doctors were present in the team which made these operations successful. Doctors cancelled their leaves to ensure the smooth process in this drive.
Doctors also said that with a little refinement, this model of surgery can help take top-notch medical facilities to the most marginalised people in the country.
This comes as the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on February 15 applauded 175 successful gallbladder surgeries in five days at the State-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital.
“This was a mission mode endeavour to clear the waiting gallbladder cases, and also to show what our doctors can do if they work in unison with dedication!” Ms. Banerjee posted on social media platform X. She also said that 390 other major surgical cases were also conducted at this hospital along with the 175 gall bladder surgeries.
The CM also urged all other hospitals in the State to take inspiration from these speedy surgeries and to clear waiting in queue patients to take the load off medical facilities and reduce patient burden.
Published – February 19, 2025 02:37 am IST
