M4PNews|Chandigarh
The department of Gastroenterology at PGIMER was the first department in the country to start the DM program in Gastroenterology. It continues to be a prestigious and sought-after DM program in the country. In the annual conference of Indian Society of Gastroenterology, which was the diamond jubilee year for society, the Department of Gastroenterology bagged many awards and brought laurels to the Institute.
Prof Kartar Singh, former head of the department, was bestowed the FP Antia Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to teaching in India. Prof Rakesh Kochhar, another former head of department, delivered the prestigious ISG-Zydus oration on the management of gastric outlet obstruction. He also took over the reins as the President of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology. Prof Usha Dutta, the present head of the department, delivered the prestigious CM Habibullah oration on Gallbladder stones to Gallbladder cancer: Can the journey be stopped?
Prof Rakesh Kochhar has been bestowed with CM Habibullah award and oration for the year 2021 for his research contributions to Gastroenterology. Prof Usha Dutta was conferred the ISG- Rakesh Tandon oration for exemplary mentorship in Gastroenterology the year 2021.
Dr Vishal Sharma was chosen for Dr SR Naik Memorial Award for best research publications in the preceding year. Dr Gaurav Muktesh won the second prize in the endoscopic video forum for managing a difficult case of GI bleeding, Dr Anuraag Jena was adjudged second in the Young Investigator Session for his novel original work on role of oral fluconazole in management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr Narinder Grover got the second prize in the free poster session for his original work in the role of genetics in Inflammatory bowel disease. Prof Usha Dutta informed that the department at PGI continues to be one of the leading centers in India for teaching, training, and research in Gastroenterology in India.