Delhi doc to the rescue of obese

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 26

As the region faces a drastic rise in cases of obesity, Pradeep Chowbey, a renowned surgeon and Limca Book record holder, is likely to visit Kashmir valley for patient consultation.

A study has revealed that prevalence of obesity in Kashmir was at 25.30 per cent, with a higher prevalence in women at 33.5 per cent than men at 19.3 per cent.

The cases of obesity in Kashmir are greater among older people as compared to younger ones and among residents of urban areas, at 32 per cent, compared to rural areas, where 20 per cent are estimated to be suffering from obesity.

Chowbey, a Padma Shri awardee and chairman of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Saket, New Delhi, is expected to visit the region in the next few weeks, his office said. He has been on the Limca Book record for the past 20 years for performing 80,000 laparoscopic surgeries.

Chowbey had established the first dedicated department of minimal access surgery in the Asian subcontinent in 1995 and has trained nearly 1,000 doctors in laparoscopy. His visit to the Valley assumes significance as the region faces a drastic rise in case of obesity.

To visit region in next few weeks

Pradeep Chowbey, chairman of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Saket, New Delhi, is expected to visit the region in the next few weeks.