Ahmedabad to get India’s first bariatric centre

Ahmedabad-based bariatric surgeon Mahendra Narwaria has plans to setup a bariatric centre in the city with an estimated investment of Rs20 crore. According to medical experts, if the proposed institute cum excellence centre actualises, it will be the first of its kind centre in the country.

Commenting on the same Narwaria said, “I decided to come up with this kind of centre because in India, there are many hospitals that specialise in pediatric, orthopedic, neurology and other treatments, but none that specialise in bariatrics.”

The construction work for the proposed hospital is expected to begin with two years, and it is likely to come up on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Explaining his expansion plans for the hospital, Narwaria said “The hospital will have room for 50 beds, and along with obesity, type-2 diabetes will also be treated.” After setting up a bariatric centre in Ahmedabad, Narwaria also has plans of coming up with similar ones in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.

Citing reasons, Narwaria said that there are barely four or five bariatric surgeons in India. He therefore wished to train more doctors in this area so that the large number of people suffering from obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Plans for educational programmes for corporate companies are also in the pipeline. These programmes will make the people aware about the importance of exercising and following a proper diet.

A survey report has revealed that nearly two-three crore people in India suffer from obesity. And Gujarat alone would account for about 2-3 per cent of the total population, Narwaria.