Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi is to host an International Conference & Workshop on Morbid Obesity (OSSICON 2004) on March 13 and 14. Endoscopic surgeries for Morbid Obesity are to be performed for the first time in North India during the workshop. Eight world renowned surgeons are expected to participate in the event, stated a press release.

Dr.Pradeep Chowbey, chairman, Dept. Of Minimal Access Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) is to spearhead the endosurgical procedure in India. The experts who are to participate in the event are Dr.George Cowan (USA), Dr. Andrew Jamieson (Australia), Dr. Isao Kawamura (Japan), Dr. Harry Frydenberg (Australia), Dr. Rudolf Steffen (Switzerland), Dr. Martin Fried (Czech Republic), Dr. Mal Fobi (USA), Dr. Jerome Dargent (France) and Dr. K.Dolezalova (Czech Republic).

Obesity today is recognized as a health problem of epidemic proportions. Obesity refers to a spectrum of problems of excess weight ranging from mild overweight to the morbidly obese. Seven to nine percent (7-9 per cent) people in India are overweight, of which 20 – 25 per cent are morbidly obese which amounts to a staggering 2 - 2.5 million people.

Morbid obesity usually leads to associated diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problem, arthritis and sleep apnoea which can lead to early death. Surgical procedures for morbid obesity can now be safely performed by laparoscopy (key-hole surgery). These morbid patients stand to benefit tremendously by laparoscopic surgery decreasing the hospital stay, minimizing pain and an early return to activity.

The department of Minimal access surgery at SGRH had acquired the necessary infrastructure for this high tech endoscopic surgery of morbid obesity few months ago. The Department is recognized globally as a center of excellence and has geared up to provide surgical services for patients with morbid obesity, the release stated.