New Delhi: The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) marked World Digestive Health Day with a high-level national event under the theme “Nourish to Flourish.” The event highlighted the urgent need to address dietary and lifestyle risks contributing to digestive disorders, fatty liver disease, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The day-long program, held at the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, ILBS, featured distinguished speakers from the Government of India, World Health Organization, and the medical community. The event emphasized the central role of gut health in shaping India’s broader public health strategy.
Setting the Foundation for Digestive Wellness
In his opening address, Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director and Chancellor of ILBS, established the day’s central message: “Digestive wellness is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Our gut is where nourishment begins, and prevention must follow.”
Prof. Sarin emphasized the critical importance of gut bacteria diversity and highlighted beneficial foods including apples, walnuts, garlic, black chickpeas, and coffee. He advocated for a healthy Indian diet rich in mustard oil, millets, natural sugars, and pulses, while identifying fatty liver disease as a top public health concern. He concluded with the powerful reminder: “You become what, how much, and when you eat.”
National Focus on Liver Health
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, called for renewed national attention to liver health, citing its foundational role in preventing digestive and metabolic disorders. She highlighted how dietary habits and lifestyle choices are key factors in developing liver diseases, emphasizing that internal change and improved attitudes are essential for better health outcomes.
Global Perspective on Digestive Wellness
Dr. Yutaro Setoya, Team Lead for NCDs and Comorbidities at WHO India Country Office, provided a global perspective on gut health challenges, outlining WHO’s collaborative efforts in advancing digestive wellness across countries and communities. He acknowledged the WHO Collaborative Centre for viral hepatitis and liver diseases at ILBS, which has been functioning since 2015, and commended ILBS’s commitment to research excellence.
Safe Food for Sound Digestion
The Chief Guest, Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), underscored the critical link between food safety and digestive health, stating, “India’s future depends on what it eats and how well its systems digest that.”
He highlighted India’s dietary diversity and the country’s position as the world’s largest millet producer, noting that only 8% of production is currently converted to processed food. Emphasizing the crucial importance of intestinal health, he suggested a cultural shift in health greetings—from “get well soon” to “gut well soon”—to focus attention where it truly belongs.
Rao drew attention to dietary patterns, comparing India’s heavy use of oil in deep-fried foods to other countries’ preference for butter and cheese, noting that the traditional blessing “Aapke muh mein ghee shakkar” may not represent the healthiest aspiration.
Scientific Insights and Future Directions
Dr. Shvetank Sharma from ILBS shared additional insights, elaborating on the emerging role of gut microbiota in sustaining digestive resilience and overall health.
Dr. M. K. Daga, Vice Chancellor of ILBS, closed the event with a vote of thanks, reaffirming ILBS’s commitment to advancing work at the intersection of education, science, and public engagement.
Community Outreach and Screening
To extend preventive care directly to the public, ILBS organized a Free Liver Health Screening Camp outside the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium beginning at 8:30 AM on May 29, 2025. The camp offered comprehensive health assessments including blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile, liver function tests, hepatitis screening, complete blood count, and Fibroscan—particularly targeting patients with diabetes, liver function abnormalities, or family history of fatty liver disease.
Recognition of Outstanding Contributions
ILBS honored Dr. L Swasticharan for integrating NAFLD into national health programs, improving liver health outcomes in India and Praveen Singh Chauhan for his work on hepatitis treatment accessibility and partnering with ILBS under CSR initiative for Liver screening across Delhi NCR.
Looking Forward
This World Digestive Health Day, ILBS reaffirmed its position at the forefront of preventive care, elevating digestive health from a clinical afterthought to a societal priority. As India charts its path toward healthier living, the message from the capital is clear: a well-nourished gut is the foundation of a flourishing nation.
