Breaking the Silence: Building the Future of Colorectal Care in India
For over two decades, a prominent colorectal surgeon has been working not only to treat physical ailments but also to dismantle the deep-seated silence and stigma surrounding colorectal conditions in India. In a first-person narrative featured in syndicated content from ANI and The Tribune, the surgeon, who is the Chief Colorectal Surgeon and founder of Smiles Institute of Gastroenterology, explains his mission: "Addressing this silence, more than the disease itself, has been my mission for the past twenty-five years and continues to guide my work today."
The article, which carries an advertorial disclaimer, recounts encounters with patients who arrive with "a sense of shame" alongside physical pain. Conditions such as fissures, fistulas, chronic constipation, and piles affect millions of Indians, yet remain largely unspoken due to embarrassment. The surgeon emphasizes that treating these conditions in India is not only a clinical challenge but a cultural one, requiring conversations that override societal taboos.
Pioneering Surgical Advancements
The surgeon describes his early career when minimally invasive colorectal care was just emerging in India. He trained extensively to introduce laparoscopic and robotic techniques into routine practice, marking significant milestones in the field. Among these advancements, he claims to have been "the first doctor in Karnataka to perform Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) surgery for fistula" and to introduce laser treatment for colorectal and digestive disorders in the state. According to the narrative, these were not just technical achievements, but commitments to ensuring faster, less painful, and less disruptive recoveries for patients.
The surgeon's work extends beyond individual procedures. At Smiles Institute of Gastroenterology, he has built a team of surgeons who share a commitment to both precision and empathy. However, he stresses that technology alone cannot address stigma. "Overcoming it requires conversation, education, and patience," he says, explaining that he spends as much time on lifestyle and dietary discussions with patients as on surgery. Prevention, he argues, remains the most undervalued aspect of care.
A Broader Responsibility
The article positions the surgeon's efforts within a broader national context, referencing India's population of 1.4 billion people. He expresses a sense of responsibility to "reaching even a fraction with improved gut health awareness," which extends to training the next generation of colorectal surgeons and speaking openly about long-stigmatised conditions.
While the surgeon prefers to define his reputation by his clinical work rather than accolades, he acknowledges honours received, including the Young Scientist Award and the Best Paper Award for surgical devascularisation. These recognition, he says, are not the primary motivators; instead, his mission is driven by a commitment to patient dignity and social change.
Pursuing a Future Without Stigma
Looking ahead, the narrative emphasises a future where colorectal conditions are discussed without shame. The article calls for continued education, preventive measures, and the adoption of advanced surgical techniques to improve gut health awareness across the country. Through his initiatives at Smiles and his personal advocacy, the surgeon seeks to build a new era of colorectal care that is both scientifically advanced and culturally sensitive.
As part of the "New Age Leaders" series, the feature invites readers to consider the importance of addressing long-held silences in healthcare—signaling a shift toward more open and honest conversations about conditions that have historically been avoided.