Mumbai : The 10th International Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Symposium begun on Saturday (18th January) here at Hotel Palladium to present a comprehensive overview of the rapidly changing EUS landscape. The first-of-its-kind an international 24×7 helpline for patients suffering from pancreatic diseases was launched during the two-day symposium.

The 24×7 helpline will help create awareness about the most neglected and vital organ of human body, the pancreas. In addition to remedies for acute attacks, the helpline will also provide free consultation for patients who want to know more about their existing pancreatic conditions. “This is a first-of-its-kind 24×7 international helpline that will patients from worldwide to provide free consultation about their pancreatic conditions. The aim is to connect the caller with the high quality doctor for tele consultation,” he added.

Emphasizing that today’s busy scheduled, Dr. Rathod said that the convenience of speaking to doctor on phone is ‘priceless’. “We have a team of full-time doctors, who will be working according to the rotational shifts and the patients from across the globe can avail free consultation 24×7 on any day. This initiative is one more step from our side to make high quality care accessible to patients worldwide,” he added.

In order to access this service the patients just need to call on the helpline numbers 9167778228 / 9320091763 and avail free consultation, routine cases of pancreatic conditions or even during any pancreatic emergency. “This helpline is a part of our continuous efforts in introducing a multidisciplinary approach to pancreatic cases management within the country”, adds Dr. Rathod.

The launch of the international 24×7 helpline for pancreas was attended by over 500 participating Gastroenterologist, Surgeons, Physicians performing Endoscopy including internationally renowned experts from 27 countries like Canada, United States, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Japan, Egypt and India in the two-day symposium.

Having pioneered Interventional Pancreato-Biliary EUS, Dr. Rathod has been successfully treating the most complicated cases of pancreas at Endoscopy Asia, which were beamed live during the symposium across the world and to International world pioneers and national experts who have converged in Mumbai to share their knowledge, wisdom and experience on the changing landscape of Endoscopy and Endoscopy Ultrasound. Experts demonstrated live the latest therapeutic endoscopy techniques, treatments and assessments from Endoscopy Asia as the course attendees observed from two large screens in the Ballroom of the hotel.

Endoscopy is the examination of the gastrointestinal tract – the esophagus, stomach, bile duct, pancreas, small bowel and large bowel – with a flexible videoscope. Therapeutic means the procedure can provide treatment (therapy), in addition to a diagnosis.

Source : Lokesh Shastri