GI Endoscopy Training: AIG, Boston Scientific Target Tier 2 City

GI endoscopy training is gaining importance as Indian healthcare providers seek to expand access to advanced gastrointestinal procedures beyond major metropolitan centers.

AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, and Boston Scientific India have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to establish a Centre of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Therapies.

The initiative will provide structured training for doctors in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), cholangioscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endoluminal surgeries.

It will also include training opportunities for endoscopy technicians and nursing professionals.

The partnership highlights a broader healthcare challenge: translating specialist expertise and medical technology into accessible services for patients in smaller cities and towns.

Why Is GI Endoscopy Training Important for Smaller Cities?

Advanced gastrointestinal procedures can help clinicians diagnose and treat complex conditions using minimally invasive approaches. However, expanding their availability requires more than installing sophisticated equipment.

Hospitals also need trained specialists, experienced support teams, and the infrastructure to perform procedures safely. Under the agreement, AIG Hospitals will organize annual training programs led by its faculty and invited external experts.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, chairman and chief of gastroenterology at AIG Hospitals, has emphasized the need to develop the capabilities of doctors serving smaller cities and towns. The objective is to reduce dependence on major metropolitan centers for specialized expertise.

Also Read: Building Scalable MedTech Ecosystem for India's Healthcare Future

Which Advanced Gastrointestinal Procedures Will the Centre Cover?

The initiative will focus on four areas of therapeutic endoscopy:

• ERCP: Procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the bile and pancreatic ducts.
• Cholangioscopy: Direct visual examination of the bile duct to help evaluate abnormalities and treat certain conditions.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Combines endoscopy and ultrasound imaging to examine around and within the digestive tract.
• Endoluminal surgeries: A minimally invasive surgery performed through the body’s natural cavities to treat specific gastrointestinal diseases.

Advanced gastrointestinal care depends on coordinated teams that can prepare equipment, support procedures, maintain infection-prevention practices, and assist with patient monitoring.

Can Therapeutic Endoscopy Training Improve Patient Access?

Therapeutic endoscopy in India may become more accessible when training is supported by adequate infrastructure, continued professional guidance, and clear referral arrangements.

Boston Scientific has established education and training programs for healthcare professionals in gastroenterology, while the AIG collaboration creates a framework focused on expanding specialist capabilities in India.

The partnership illustrates how medical technology companies can work with hospitals to support clinical education alongside technological adoption.

Several indicators will help assess the initiative's progress: the number of clinicians and support professionals trained, participation from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the availability of follow-up mentorship, and the extent to which trained teams can offer appropriate procedures locally.

Ultimately, GI endoscopy training can contribute to a more distributed model of specialist care, but its success will depend on sustained investment beyond the training center.