Tue Feb 18 21:07:00 UTC 2025: **West Bengal Hospital Conducts 175 Gallbladder Surgeries in Five Days, Raising Concerns About Rising Cases**

KOLKATA, INDIA (February 19, 2025) – A state-run hospital in West Bengal, India, conducted 175 successful gallbladder surgeries in just five days, prompting both celebration and concern. While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lauded the medical team’s achievement on social media, the high volume of surgeries has highlighted a worrying trend of increasing gallbladder issues.

The intensive five-day surgical drive at SSKM Medical College and Hospital involved approximately 15 doctors and 60 support staff, who cancelled leave to participate. The Chief Minister described the effort as a “mission mode endeavour” to address a backlog of gallbladder surgery cases. In addition to the gallbladder surgeries, the hospital also performed 390 other major surgical procedures during the same period. The CM urged other state hospitals to emulate this efficient approach to reduce patient wait times.

However, medical experts warn that the sheer number of surgeries points to a growing problem. Dr. Dilip Todi, a gastroenterology consultant, attributed the rise to lifestyle changes and increasing obesity, leading to higher cholesterol and gallstone formation. He noted that while asymptomatic gallstones might not require immediate intervention in Western countries, the risk of gallbladder cancer—significantly higher in India— necessitates a different approach.

Dr. D.K. Sarkar, another physician involved in the surgeries, expressed particular alarm at the increasing number of cases among 18-to-22-year-olds, linking this to fast food consumption and unhealthy lifestyles. He stressed the need for preventative measures to curb the escalating trend.

Doctors involved in the initiative believe the model can be refined to bring high-quality care to marginalized communities. Despite the success, the large number of pending cases suggests the issue requires a broader public health approach addressing lifestyle factors and preventive care.

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