In a significant push to strengthen specialised healthcare in Eastern India, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass has launched its Institute of Liver & Digestive Disorders and Liver Care Centre—an integrated facility aimed at transforming the diagnosis and treatment of complex liver and gastrointestinal diseases.

 

Positioned as a one-stop hub, the centre brings together advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary expertise, and high-end interventions, including liver transplant services, under a single ecosystem. Hospital leaders say the initiative is designed to deliver seamless, patient-centric care while addressing longstanding gaps in access to advanced treatment across the region.

 

The launch saw the presence of senior clinicians and leadership from the Manipal Hospitals network, who underscored the urgent need for coordinated, specialised care in tackling rising cases of liver and digestive disorders.

 

The newly unveiled institute offers a full spectrum of services—from early screening and preventive care to complex surgeries and transplants. Equipped with cutting-edge endoscopy suites, minimally invasive and robotic surgical systems, and dedicated liver care units, it aims to treat a wide range of conditions, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, pancreatic disorders, and gastrointestinal cancers.

 

At the core of the facility is a robust liver transplant programme, expected to play a crucial role in saving patients with end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure—conditions where timely intervention can dramatically improve survival rates. The centre also emphasises long-term care through nutrition counselling, lifestyle management, and continuous patient monitoring.

 

A multidisciplinary team—spanning gastroenterologists, hepatologists, transplant specialists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and critical care experts—will collaborate to deliver personalised treatment plans.

 

Highlighting the urgent need for such a facility, Dr. Jayanth Reddy said, “Liver transplantation in Eastern India continues to remain significantly underutilised, largely due to a lack of awareness and timely referral. For instance, in a city like Kolkata, the total number of liver transplants performed last year was around 25, whereas the actual need is at least double that number. 

 

"This gap highlights the urgent need to build greater awareness and understanding around liver transplant as a viable, life-saving option. Contrary to common misconceptions, the primary requirement for a liver transplant is a compatible blood group, making it far more accessible than many perceive. With the launch of this institute, we aim to strengthen awareness, streamline access, and ensure that more patients in the region can benefit from timely, advanced transplant care without having to travel far from home.”

 

Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy pointed to the growing burden of liver disease, stating, “In Eastern India, over 50% of chronic liver disease cases are linked to alcohol, while nearly 20% of Indians are affected by fatty liver disease, contributing to more than 2 lakh deaths annually, underscoring a rapidly growing health burden. 

 

"A key challenge has been delayed diagnosis and limited access to comprehensive, advanced care. With the launch of this institute, we are bringing together the entire spectrum of liver and digestive care from advanced diagnostics and therapeutic endoscopy to minimally invasive interventions and a robust liver transplant programme. This integrated approach ensures seamless, end-to-end care from early detection to complex, life-saving treatments under one roof.”

 

Emphasising early detection, Dr. Sanjoy Basu added, “A significant number of gastrointestinal and liver conditions go undetected until advanced stages. At our centre, we offer comprehensive diagnostics including Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopy, colonoscopy and specialised tests like liver scans and biopsy, enabling early detection, preventive care, and better patient outcomes.”

 

On the surgical front, Dr. Shubhayu Banerjee said, “The centre offers a full spectrum of advanced surgical solutions, combining laparoscopic and minimally invasive procedures such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair and bariatric surgery, with cutting-edge robotic GI surgeries for complex resections, rectal cancer and pelvic procedures. These precision-driven techniques ensure safer surgeries, faster recovery, and significantly improved patient outcomes.”

 

Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta highlighted the broader regional impact, noting, “Liver disease is emerging as a major health concern in Eastern India, with studies indicating that nearly 1 in 5 adults may be affected by fatty liver disease, alongside a steady rise in alcohol-related and metabolic liver conditions. 

 

"Despite this growing burden, access to advanced interventions such as liver transplants has remained limited within the region, often requiring patients to travel long distances for treatment. 

 

"With the launch of this institute, we are strengthening our commitment to delivering comprehensive liver care including transplant services within the region. By integrating specialised expertise, advanced infrastructure, and coordinated care pathways, we aim to enable patients to access timely, seamless, and end-to-end treatment closer to home.”