Visiting Indian doctor speaks on benefits of bariatric surgery

From left: Indian Doctors Club general secretary Dr Joyal Jacob Mathew, president Dr KP Najeeb, Dr Mohamed Ismail, P Sasi Kumar and Mohamed Mannil.

A visiting Indian doctor delivered a lecture on bariatric surgery and its benefits in terms of major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at a programme hosted by the Indian Doctors Club and Al Safa Polyclinic Doha recently .

Dr Mohamed Ismail, chief surgeon at Maulana Hospital in Perinthalmanna in Kerala, told the audience that the prevalence of chronic NCDs was increasing at an alarming rate globally, propelling the upsurge in cases of diabetes and hypertension.

He said that in the past 20 years, the rates of obesity in developing countries have tripled due to changes in lifestyle such as decreased physical activity and over-consumption of cheap, energy-dense food.

“The growing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers is tied to excess weight.  About 90% of Type 2 diabetes is attributable to excess weight. Global statistics show that 280mn people are diabetic and it is expected to increase to 420mn by 2025, which will be most noticeable in developing countries - where the number of people with diabetes is expected to increase from 84mn to 228mn,” he explained.

“To fight the menace of obesity, bariatric surgical procedures have proven to be a much more successful method of weight loss and diabetes control in the obese population than conservative means, which have proven safe with reported mortality rates of 0% to 1.5%,” he said. 

Bariatric operations are categorised based on the method of weight loss.

Deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy, P Sasi Kumar, was the guest of honour while Al Safa Polyclinic managing director Mohamed Mannil was the chief guest.

A family fun day was organised alongside the scientific session where cultural secretary Dr Rati Barman and her team conducted cake decoration classes for women as well as games for children.

Godwin Wilson compered the programme while Al Safa Polyclinic general manager Safeer TP proposed the vote of thanks.

The event was held as part of the Continuing Medical Education activities of Indian Doctors Club and Indian Medical Association-Qatar.