With the aim of setting standard surgical procedures for bariatric surgeries, medical professionals from across Asia participated in ‘LAPAROFIT 2015’ organised by the Gem Hospital and Research Centre Coimbatore, here on Friday.
“Learning and acquiring the best practices that international medicine has to offer as well as framing guidelines for practice in the country is extremely necessary,” said N. Ram, Chairman of Kasturi and Sons Ltd., delivering the inaugural address. Speaking about the status of healthcare in the country, he said that a major failure of the system was the fact that a majority of people still had to spend out of their own pockets for quality healthcare. “However, a few southern States, including Tamil Nadu, are improving with regard to institutional support. Hospitals and healthcare centres in smaller cities are vying with the established hospitals in Chennai to offer quality healthcare,” Mr. Ram said.
Praveen Raj, Lead Consultant, Department of Bariatric Surgery, Gem Hospital said that in the State, less than one per cent of the eligible population was willing to undergo bariatric surgery.
“Many people still look at this as a cosmetic procedure and not as a surgery which will help them in overcoming obesity. Research also shows that weight loss through bariatric surgery is a safe option for people who have uncontrolled diabetes and improves the condition of persons with type 2 diabetes,” he explained.
Dr. Praveen said setting standards for bariatric surgeries would help establish better practices and ensure faith about its effectiveness. C. Palanivelu, Founder and Chairman of Gem Hospital and Research Centre, stressed on the long-term benefits of bariatric surgery.
