Medical experts at the recent YGCON-2025 international conference in Secunderabad have sounded the alarm: gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are surging across South India, with a particularly worrying rise among young people. This two-day event, hosted by Yashoda Hospitals, highlighted the growing public health challenge.
For clarity, GI diseases encompass a range of conditions affecting the entire digestive tract, from the oesophagus and stomach to the small and large intestines, rectum, and anus.
Dr. Ravi Shankar, a leading gastroenterologist, emphasized the escalating burden of these conditions nationwide. He noted, “Gastrointestinal illness is rapidly becoming one of India’s most prevalent health concerns, and its increasing incidence among the youth is especially troubling.” Recent studies suggest that a staggering seven out of ten Indians experience some form of gastric issue. The YGCON-2025 conference aimed to equip junior doctors with advanced diagnostic techniques and effective treatment strategies through interactive sessions and real-time demonstrations.
Pavan Gorukanti, Director of Yashoda Group of Hospitals, officially opened the event. The conference drew over 500 gastroenterologists and medical practitioners globally, fostering discussions on cutting-edge developments in interventional endoscopic ultrasound and advanced endoscopy.
Gorukanti further added that the international conference and workshop would highlight the newest breakthroughs in gastrointestinal medicine, featuring live demonstrations and practical training sessions. These hands-on opportunities were specifically designed to enhance the endoscopic proficiency of budding gastroenterologists.