Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurated the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) 2026 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on Wednesday, bringing the prestigious international gastroenterology gathering to India for the first time.
The four-day global congress, being attended by nearly 3,000 delegates from 61 countries, has brought together leading clinicians, researchers and healthcare experts to discuss the changing burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and explore new approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
India Hosts World Gastroenterology Congress for First Time
The hosting of WCOG 2026 marks a significant international platform for India’s medical and research community. The event is being held under the theme “Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature” and will continue until October 3.
The congress is jointly organised by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), with support from major Indian gastroenterology and hepatology associations.
The gathering aims to facilitate international collaboration and provide a platform for sharing developments in gastrointestinal medicine, hepatology, biomedical research and healthcare delivery.
Nadda Highlights Importance of Gastrointestinal Health
Addressing the inaugural session, Nadda underlined the connection between gastrointestinal health and wider public health concerns, including nutrition, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases and cancer.
He said India has developed substantial capabilities in healthcare, medical education and research and that hosting the international congress provides an opportunity to share the country’s experience with the global gastroenterology community.
According to Nadda, greater international cooperation can help strengthen research, clinical practices and healthcare delivery while supporting efforts to improve patient outcomes.
‘10 Commandments for GI Health’ Launched
A major highlight of the opening day was the launch of the “10 Commandments for GI Health”, a set of evidence-based recommendations prepared by Indian and international gastroenterology experts.
The recommendations focus on prevention, identifying risk factors, recognising symptoms early and seeking appropriate medical evaluation without unnecessary delay.
Experts at the congress stressed the importance of taking these messages to communities across different countries so that greater public awareness can support earlier recognition of gastrointestinal problems and timely access to medical care.
Rising Burden of Digestive and Liver Diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases encompass a broad range of conditions, including infections, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases and cancers. These illnesses can affect people across different age groups and healthcare settings.
While infections such as H. pylori and parasitic diseases remain significant health concerns, metabolic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal cancers are receiving increasing attention from clinicians and researchers.
Experts highlighted early detection, appropriate screening and access to effective treatment as important factors in reducing the health burden associated with these conditions.
AI and Medical Technology Transforming Gastroenterology
The congress is also focusing on the growing role of artificial intelligence, advanced diagnostics, biomedical research and data science in healthcare.
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Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said emerging technologies are creating new possibilities but stressed that innovations need to be clinically validated before being implemented at population scale.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between clinicians, researchers and technology experts to translate scientific advances into practical healthcare solutions.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being explored in areas such as endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, pancreatic disorders, IBD and gastrointestinal motility. At the same time, experts are examining questions related to safety, clinical validation and regulatory oversight.
New Treatments and Research Take Centre Stage
WCOG 2026 is showcasing developments that are changing the management of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. These include advances in detecting pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as newer approaches to pancreatitis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), IBD, celiac disease and liver failure.
Other important areas include H. pylori eradication, precision risk assessment, advanced endoscopy and research into the gut microbiome.
Indian researchers are contributing to international research in areas including IBD, colorectal cancer, MASLD, chronic pancreatitis and the human microbiome.
Focus on Environment and Future GI Health
The congress is also examining environmental influences on gastrointestinal health, including climate change and increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Dr Pramod Kumar Garg, Co-Chair of the WCOG 2026 Steering Committee and President of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, along with Dr Govind Makharia, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said gastrointestinal health is a worldwide concern requiring cooperation across healthcare systems.
They noted that India’s large and diverse patient population, extensive clinical experience and expanding research base can contribute to the global discussion on prevention, early diagnosis and improved treatment.
With discussions continuing through October 3, WCOG 2026 is bringing together global expertise around a common objective: advancing gastrointestinal and liver health while strengthening prevention, diagnosis, research and patient care.
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