Karachi: Calling obesity a full-blown epidemic that has engulfed Pakistan in recent years, leading gastroenterologists and liver specialists on Friday warned that excess body weight is now the leading cause of fatty liver disease, liver failure, and a major reason for the rising demand for liver transplants in the country.
Urging people to adopt healthy eating habits and become physically active to avoid premature deaths and costly medical interventions, experts also warned that unhealthy lifestyles and obesity are contributing to an alarming rise in colorectal cancer cases among the relatively young population in Pakistan.
They were speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 7th Annual Conference of the Pakistan GI and Liver Disease Society (PGLDS) at a local hotel in Karachi, which brought together local and international experts despite ongoing global unrest.
Dr. Lubna Kamani, President of PGLDS, stressed that obesity is now deeply intertwined with fatty liver disease and a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.
“While we now have new medications available for obesity and fatty liver, prevention is still the best strategy. We must eat less but healthy and stay physically active,” she said, while also pointing to a sharp increase in colorectal cancer among young adults, which she linked to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. “We need to immediately launch a national colorectal screening program in Pakistan before this silent threat claims more lives.”
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Sindh Health Secretary Mr. Rehan Iqbal Baloch welcomed delegates from across the country and acknowledged the serious challenges patients face in accessing GI and liver care.
“The Sindh Health Department is committed to expanding endoscopy suites and improving treatment facilities across public hospitals. We want experts like Dr. Shahid Ahmed and Dr. Lubna Kamani to continue guiding us in this journey,” he added, offering full support to PGLDS in its efforts.
Dr. Shahid Ahmed, Patron and Chief of PGLDS, reflected on the formation of the Society, saying it was established nearly eight years ago by him and Dr. Sajjad Jamil to train young gastroenterologists and promote education in this critical specialty.
“What started as a small initiative has become a landmark conference today. Experts from Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, South Korea, and South Africa have joined us despite unrest around the world,” he said proudly.
Medical Director of Liaquat National Hospital (LNH), Dr. Salman Faridi, lauded the efforts of the Society in improving medical education and patient care, calling it a vital platform for sharing clinical experience and advancing gastroenterology in Pakistan.
Dr. Sajjad Jamil, General Secretary of PGLDS, termed the event a “celebration of knowledge and progress,” while Dr. Nazish Butt praised the participation of female gastroenterologists, calling it a step forward for gender inclusivity in the field.
She also highlighted a disturbing rise in colorectal cancer cases, particularly among young people, warning that late diagnosis and lack of a national screening program are putting thousands of lives at risk.
International delegates attending the conference include Prof. Arif Mansur Cosar from Turkey, Prof. Eun Young Kim from South Korea, and Prof. Mashiko Setshedi from South Africa, Prof. Olga from Russia, all of whom are scheduled to present on emerging treatments, colorectal screening strategies, and GI innovations during the two-day event.
As part of the opening ceremony, PGLDS also unveiled the Pakistan’s first “Atlas of Endoscopy and Liver Diseases,” a comprehensive guide aimed at standardizing clinical practice across Pakistan and providing advanced diagnostic references to healthcare professionals.
During the two-day conference, scientific sessions will be held covering drug therapies for fatty liver, new strategies for colorectal screening, endoscopic management of GI bleeding, and the impact of gut microbiota on liver health, among other key topics.