Chairman's Message

Dear Colleagues,

LIGHT UPDATE 2026, the second edition of the biennial academic summit of the Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital (Aluva, Kochi, India) will be held on the 13th, 14th and 15th of February, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kochi.

The conference theme is “NEW FRONTIERS IN HEPATOPANCREATOBILIARY SCIENCES” with a special focus on the Pancreas. The international faculty will be led by top researchers of the Dutch Pancreatitis Group, who will be visiting India for the first time.

Their topics of discussion will range from state-of-the-art diagnosis and endoscopic management of pancreatic malignancies to basic science studies on the role of gut microbiota in acute (necrotising) pancreatitis.

Apart from the Dutch group, other world leaders in hepatology, interventional hepatopancreatobiliary radiology, and advanced endoscopy from Denmark, Spain, Italy, Singapore, and the President of United European Gastroenterology (EUG), Prof. Matthias Löhr from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm will also be participating.

The who’s who of Indian Pancreatology, Hepatology, and Interventional Radiology will be part of this scientific extravaganza.

It is my proud privilege to invite the gastroenterology fraternity of Kerala and beyond — including teaching faculty, academicians, postgraduate students, and practising Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, GI Surgeons, and Interventional Radiologists — to this flagship programme of Rajagiri Hospital.

— Dr. Philip Augustine
Chairman – Organising Committee