Kolkata : In a city best known for its cultural heritage and literary festivals, medicine took the spotlight last week as Kolkata became the venue for the 8th Annual Congress of the Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (INMA). For two days, the city buzzed not with political rallies or art exhibitions, but with conversations about the human gut—an organ scientists are increasingly calling the body’s “second brain.”
Nearly 300 doctors, researchers, and specialists from India and across the world gathered to explore the mysteries of gastrointestinal health. From the USA and Australia to Singapore and Malaysia, experts flew in to debate one crucial idea: are gut disorders quietly becoming the epidemic of the future?
At the heart of the congress was Professor Dr. Uday Chandra Ghoshal, President of INMA and one of India’s most respected gastroenterologists. His keynote struck a chord with both young researchers and veteran physicians. “We often dismiss indigestion, bloating, or gas as minor discomforts,” he told a packed auditorium. “But if ignored, these symptoms can evolve into chronic diseases that affect millions. In fact, after the brain, the gut has the largest concentration of neurons in the body. Its role in human health is far greater than we realize.”
Dr. Ghoshal also unveiled two AI-powered diagnostic devices—his own innovations—that promise to revolutionize the way gastrointestinal diseases are detected and treated. The devices sparked excitement among attendees, many of whom see technology as the much-needed bridge between India’s rising patient load and its limited number of specialists—just 3,500 gastroenterologists for a population of over a billion.
The sessions were a blend of tradition and innovation. References to Ayurveda’s Charaka Samhita—which described disease origins in bile, air, and phlegm—echoed alongside discussions on artificial intelligence, precision diagnostics, and global best practices. The mix of ancient wisdom and modern science underscored how complex yet interconnected the field of gastroenterology has become.
International voices lent further depth to the gathering. Professor Gerald Holtmann from Australia, Professor Thangam Venkatesan from the USA, Dr. Kewin Sheah from Singapore, and Professor Sanjiv Sachdeva from India shared perspectives from their respective regions, reminding participants that gut health is a universal concern, not just a local one.
Beyond the science, the congress also carried a larger message: the need to place gastrointestinal health higher on the public health agenda. With millions of Indians suffering from stomach and digestive disorders, and outdated diagnostic tools still in use in many hospitals, specialists argued for more investment in both infrastructure and training.
For Kolkata, the congress was more than just another medical meet—it was a statement of intent. The city, long a hub of intellectual discourse, is positioning itself as a center for medical research and awareness in gastroenterology.
As the congress drew to a close, one takeaway stood out: the gut, often ignored in everyday conversation, may well hold the key to tackling some of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century. And from Kolkata, that message is set to ripple across the world.
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