‘India making significant progress in liver disease treatment’

Team L&M

Dr Patrick S Kamath, a world-renowned liver specialist from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA, has praised India’s advancements in liver disease treatment, stating that the country is on the right track. Speaking at the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL) 2024 in Kochi, Dr. Patrick S. Kamath emphasized that while India has made significant strides in aligning its liver disease treatment with global standards, there is still room for further progress, which he believes will be achieved in the coming years.

Dr Kamath highlighted the insidious nature of liver disease, describing it as a “silent villain” that often shows no outward symptoms for years. By the time symptoms do appear, the liver may have already sustained significant damage, leading to conditions like cirrhosis, where the liver loses its ability to heal itself, often necessitating a liver transplant. To prevent this, he emphasized two critical measures: maintaining a healthy weight and completely abstaining from alcohol. Additionally, he stressed the importance of proper treatment and management of viral diseases that can affect the liver.

Dr. Patrick S. Kamath is also known for his contribution to the development of the MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score, a prognostic tool used globally to assess the severity of liver disease. Originally developed by him at the Mayo Clinic, the MELD score has become a crucial tool in managing liver disease patients worldwide.

The INASL 2024 conference, which is being held in Kochi from August 7 to 10, has attracted significant participation, with around 200 panel members from both India and abroad, and over 1,500 internationally renowned expert representatives. The event is a key platform for discussing the latest advancements and challenges in the field of hepatology.