World Hepatitis Day Summit by Manipal Hospitals Kolkata Highlights the Need for Early Detection

2026-07-28 07:35:43 Health and Fitness

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Mumbai/Kolkata, 27th July 2026: With viral hepatitis continuing to remain one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide, the need for early diagnosis and preventive care has never been more critical. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40 million people in India are living with chronic hepatitis B, while an estimated 6–12 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C, many unaware of their condition until serious liver damage occurs. Reinforcing the importance of early detection, timely intervention and preventive healthcare in combating liver diseases, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata today hosted a comprehensive awareness summit on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day 2026. The event brought together leading gastroenterologists and hepatologists from Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Dhakuria, EM Bypass, Mukundapur and Salt Lake units to educate patients, caregivers and the community on hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, while highlighting the hospital networks integrated expertise in gastroenterology and liver care.

The programme commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director, Manipal Hospitals East; Dr. Sujit Chaudhury, Head of Department – Gastroenterology Medicine, Manipal Hospital Broadway; Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director & Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass; Dr. Sanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur; Dr. Debottam Bandyopadhyay, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; and Dr. Sujoy Maitra, Senior Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, symbolising Manipal Hospitals commitment towards strengthening awareness and advancing excellence in liver and gastrointestinal healthcare.

Welcoming the attendees and highlighting the growing burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, as well as the importance of timely access to specialised care, Dr. Sanjoy Basu, said, "The burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases is steadily increasing, making awareness, early diagnosis and timely access to specialised care more important than ever. Many liver conditions remain asymptomatic until they reach an advanced stage, underscoring the need for regular health check-ups and prompt medical attention. At Manipal Hospitals, we remain committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centric care through a multidisciplinary approach that ensures the best possible outcomes for every patient."

Highlighting the significance of World Hepatitis Day and the role of prevention in reducing the burden of liver disease, Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, said, "On this World Hepatitis Day, it is important to remember that hepatitis is preventable, treatable and, in many cases, curable when detected early. Vaccination, routine screening for high-risk individuals and timely medical intervention are critical in reducing the burden of liver disease. Through greater public awareness and proactive healthcare practices, we can significantly reduce hepatitis-related complications and improve long-term liver health."

Speaking on Manipal Hospitals Kolkatas comprehensive gastroenterology and hepatology services, Dr. Sujit Chaudhury, stated, "Managing liver and gastrointestinal diseases requires a seamless, multidisciplinary approach supported by advanced diagnostics and evidence-based treatment. At Manipal Hospitals Kolkata, we offer comprehensive gastroenterology and hepatology services, from preventive care and endoscopic interventions to minimally invasive procedures and complex liver disease management, all under one roof. Our focus is on providing integrated, personalised care that enables patients to achieve better clinical outcomes and an improved quality of life."

A thought-provoking panel discussion on liver health also brought together leading gastroenterologists from across the Manipal Hospitals Kolkata network, including Dr. Debottam Bandyopadhyay, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria; Dr. Kushan Sengupta, Consultant – Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Dr. Sujoy Maitra, Senior Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Dr. Prasanta Debnath, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Rahul Samanta, Consultant – Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Dr. Sudipta Ghosh, Senior Consultant – Gastrointestinal Science, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria and Dr. Vikash Prakash, Consultant - Gastroenterology Medical, Manipal Hospital Broadway. The experts discussed the increasing prevalence of liver diseases and gastrointestinal disorders, preventive strategies, lifestyle modifications, advances in treatment, and the importance of routine screening for individuals at risk. The interactive session also addressed several queries from patients, caregivers, and members of the media.

Complementing the discussions, the summit featured patient experience sessions, where individuals who had successfully undergone treatment for liver diseases shared their recovery journeys, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, timely medical intervention, and adherence to prescribed treatment protocols.

Summarising the key takeaways from the summit, Dr. Debottam Bandyopadhyay, said, "Hepatitis continues to be a significant public health concern, but the encouraging reality is that many forms of the disease are preventable through vaccination and can be effectively managed or even cured when detected early. Unfortunately, liver disease often progresses silently, with symptoms appearing only at advanced stages. We urge individuals, especially those with risk factors or persistent digestive and liver-related symptoms, not to delay medical consultation. Timely screening, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the cornerstones of preventing serious liver complications and improving long-term health outcomes."

The awareness summit witnessed active participation from patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, senior citizens and community members, fostering meaningful discussions on liver health and hepatitis prevention. Through such initiatives, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata continues to promote preventive healthcare, strengthen community awareness and advance excellence in gastroenterology and liver care across Eastern India.