I am a post graduate from India’s prestigious Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. I have served with the Indian Armed Forces for 23 years in various capacities including physician and gastroenterologist and took medical care of the Indian troops fighting at distant and remote border posts in difficult climatic and mountainous terrains. I was also a teacher and examiner at the AFMC for the MBBS exams and MD (Medicine) exams at the Pune University. I have also been a mentor to many gastroenterologists in the country.

With an experience of 37+ years, apart from routine gastro and liver patients, I am routinely referred to for medical emergencies which include life threatening intestinal bleeding, ingested foreign bodies and complicated liver problems. This has often involved saving patients with life threatening abdominal infections, liver cirrhosis, alcohol related liver problems and endoscopic management of complications which would otherwise require surgery.

• Research work in Hepatitis B and C related liver disorders
• Research on inflammatory bowel diseases
• Research on alcoholic hepatitis

• International healthcare excellence award for gastroenterology, Thailand (2016)
• Heroes Award for leadership and its effects on society (2016)
• Chief of Army Staff Commendation Medal (1996)
• Dr J N Berry Award for research work in Hepatitis B (1995)
• Hari Malini Joshi Gold Medal for topping Pune University in Medicine (1984)
• Instructor, teacher and examiner for MBBS, MS in various universities in India
• Headed most gastroenterology centers of the Armed Forces in India
• Member, College of Physicians (MCCP) and College of Applied Medicine (MCAM)

My message to every patient with a gastro intestinal symptom is that they need not go to a specialist for treatment, right at the outset. Routine medication like antacids and symptomatic measures will help in most situations. However, if the symptoms are persistent or occur repeatedly then there should be no delay in consulting a gastroenterologist.

There is a general apprehension regarding procedures like endoscopy when visiting a gastroenterologist. Most patients are reluctant to see a doctor for the fear of being advised an endoscopic procedure. As a matter of principle, in my practice, I always prefer to use my clinical judgment and experience to relieve and manage symptoms. Endoscopic procedures are only used by me when an initial attempt on my part to treat the patient fails, or if from the outset I find that indications like unexplained weight loss, low haemoglobin or bleeding from the digestive tract are pointing towards a more sinister outcome.