India is facing a growing burden of metabolic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including fatty liver disease and colorectal cancer, even as persistent infections such as Helicobacter pylori and intestinal worm infestations continue to affect communities. Experts are therefore calling for greater emphasis on early detection, prevention and timely treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The concerns come ahead of the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) 2026, which will take place in India for the first time from September 30 to October 3 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka. The global meeting will bring together gastroenterology experts to examine the changing burden of digestive diseases and advances in their prevention and treatment.
India Undergoes an Epidemiological Shift
According to experts from AIIMS, Delhi, improvements in hygiene, vaccination and public-health measures have helped reduce several communicable and preventable diseases. However, India is now witnessing a sharp increase in metabolic and lifestyle-related gastrointestinal conditions. “India is facing an epidemiological shift at this time. We have made significant strides in controlling preventable disease through awareness, vaccinations and improving quality of life. However, alongside these, we are now seeing metabolic disease on a scale we have never handled before,” said Dr Pramod Garg, Professor and Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition at AIIMS.
Fatty Liver Disease Emerges as a Major Concern
Fatty liver disease has emerged as one of India’s major gastrointestinal health concerns. An AIIMS-led systematic review and meta-analysis found the condition in 38.6% of Indian adults and 35.4% of children, according to Dr Shalimar, Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology at AIIMS. The condition is closely linked to diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Moreover, fatty liver disease can remain asymptomatic for years, allowing liver damage to progress before patients seek medical attention. A recent study has also reported clinically significant liver fibrosis in one in four patients with type 2 diabetes in India, further highlighting the need for early screening. Recognising the growing burden, India included fatty liver disease in its National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in 2021. The government subsequently introduced guidelines to support its detection at the primary-care level. “The disease is easy to find if we look for it, and we become aware only after the patient falls ill. This is a greater challenge than before—we must move away from only treating diseases; we must now actively promote good health,” Dr Garg said.
Colorectal Cancer Cases Increasing Among Younger Adults
As reported by theprint.in, colorectal cancer is another growing concern for India’s healthcare system. Doctors are reporting an increasing number of cases among younger adults, making early recognition of symptoms increasingly important. Available data show that India recorded 40,430 new colorectal cancer cases among men and 24,433 among women in 2022. Experts advise people not to ignore symptoms such as blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. “India has never been short of gastroenterologists or technology. What we have lacked is the habit of taking early symptoms seriously,” said Dr Govind Makharia, Professor at AIIMS and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for WCOG 2026. He advised people to seek medical evaluation when gastrointestinal symptoms persist beyond two to three weeks.