Hyderabad: AIG Hospitals has joined hands with US-based medtech player Boston Scientific to set up a centre of excellence (CoE) for minimally invasive gastrointestinal therapies, aimed at expanding advanced therapeutic endoscopy training for doctors across the country.The collaboration, for which AIG and Boston Scientific have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding, will focus on building clinical expertise and multidisciplinary skills needed to deliver specialised gastrointestinal care safely beyond major metropolitan centres.The centre will build on existing training ties between the two players by bringing multiple areas of therapeutic endoscopy education under a structured framework and will follow an annual calendar and governance process.The partners said the initiative is intended to help physicians in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities gain access to structured education, hands-on practice and continuing mentorship in procedures that are increasingly central to minimally invasive GI treatment.AIG Hospitals said it will host annual training programmes in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, cholangioscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and endoluminal surgeries.The courses will be led by AIG faculty and external experts, combining classroom sessions, skill laboratories, hands-on training stations and live case observations. Training will emphasise procedural proficiency, clinical decision-making and standardised practices.The CoE will also train endoscopy technicians and nursing professionals, recognising the role of coordinated teams in therapeutic endoscopy. Digital learning modules, clinical observerships and continued mentorship will support participants after the formal programmes.D Nageshwar Reddy, chairman and chief of gastroenterology at AIG Hospitals, said patients requiring advanced gastrointestinal procedures should not have to rely solely on expertise available in large cities and the collaboration would extend hands-on learning and mentorship to more doctors serving smaller cities and towns.Brian Dunkin, vice president and chief medical officer of endoscopy at Boston Scientific, said the partnership brings together clinical expertise, evidence and innovation to advance endoscopic care.Madan Krishnan, vice president and managing director, APAC growth markets, Boston Scientific, said medical technology must be supported by clinical education.
