Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 14: Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital, one of the most respected healthcare providers in Mangaluru, has once again reaffirmed its commitment to advancing medical excellence. Known for its compassionate care and high clinical standards, the hospital continues to serve as a centre for both patient treatment and medical education. This dedication was evident in its latest academic event, a two-day advanced image-enhanced endoscopy and Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) hands-on training workshop, hosted by the department of medical gastroenterology on August 9th and 10th.
The workshop was led by course director Dr Chandrashekar Sorake, whose vision for practical, skill-based learning shaped the entire programme. Six practising medical gastroenterologists from across South India attended, bringing diverse experiences from hospitals in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kochi and Davangere. Their goal was clear - to enhance their clinical expertise through direct, supervised procedures and peer learning.
The faculty team brought together expertise from across the region. Dr Anoob John from Amala Hospital in Thrissur and Dr Mahesh Menon from Aster Hospital in Kotakal joined Dr Sorake and in-house faculty member Dr Ganaraj Kulamarva. Over two days, they guided delegates through 30 advanced endoscopic procedures. Each doctor had the rare opportunity to perform these procedures under expert supervision, ensuring every case became a valuable learning moment. The first day opened with an introductory session where Dr Sorake outlined the agenda. A pre-test followed to gauge baseline knowledge. Dr Anoob John then delivered a detailed talk on Diagnostic EUS, explaining both its fundamentals and its role in detecting abnormalities. This was followed by live, hands-on demonstrations using real-time cases. Delegates were able to identify both normal and abnormal EUS anatomy, a skill critical for accurate diagnosis.
The second day moved into more advanced territory. Dr Anoob John presented on EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) techniques. This was complemented by a session from Dr Sunil Kumar Yeshwant on rapid onsite evaluation of collected samples. Live demonstrations featured 16 Diagnostic EUS cases and 6 EUS-FNA-FNB cases. Delegates alternated between observing and performing procedures, ensuring they gained confidence through practice.
An important highlight was Dr Mahesh Menon’s live demonstration of a third-space endoscopic POEM procedure. He also performed 7 cases of image-enhanced endoscopy, showing how advanced imaging can aid in the early detection of gastric cancer. The day ended with a post-test, giving participants a clear sense of their progress over the workshop.
The workshop closed with a warm valedictory session. Certificates were presented to delegates, and mementos were given to guest faculty in appreciation of their contribution. The hospital also expressed gratitude to its sponsors - Olympus Corporation, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Alkem Laboratories, Boston Scientific Group and Zydus Lifesciences, whose support helped make the event possible. The atmosphere throughout was collaborative and inspiring. Delegates spoke openly about how the training exceeded their expectations. They praised the balance of theory and practice, the variety of cases, and the high standard of teaching. The hospital’s infrastructure and organisation were also commended.
Dr Shivaram Afzalpurkar from Nanjappa Hospitals in Davangere described it as an “insightful and engaging workshop” and said the quality of cases and faculty selection deserved wider recognition. Dr Aashik Y S from Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru called it “beyond expectations” and expressed interest in attending future workshops on ERCP and EUS. Dr Puneeth B S from Manipal Hospital in Malleshwaram said it was “the best EUS workshop” he had ever attended and credited it with boosting his confidence in performing FNA. Dr Beeravelli Rajesh from Aster Medcity in Kochi described the event as “meticulously organised and incredibly helpful” for his endoscopy journey.
For Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital, this workshop was not just an academic exercise but part of a larger mission. The hospital is committed to equipping healthcare professionals with advanced skills, enabling them to deliver better patient care across the region. By hosting such events, it not only strengthens its position as a leader in healthcare in Dakshina Kannada but also extends its impact far beyond its immediate community.