Medical Gastroenterology
Video gastroscopy, colonoscopy and comprehensive digestive-system diagnosis, treated through a dedicated endoscopy suite and closely coordinated surgical backup.
Medical Gastroenterology at Mangala Hospital
Digestive-system complaints — from persistent acidity to unexplained abdominal pain or a change in bowel habit — are among the most common reasons patients come to Mangala Hospital. Our Medical Gastroenterology service is built around a dedicated video endoscopy suite, which allows the digestive tract to be examined directly rather than relying on symptoms alone, giving a faster and more accurate route to diagnosis for conditions of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver and pancreas.
Our OT complex includes a dedicated gastroendoscopy operating theatre, so gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures are performed in a properly equipped, sterile environment rather than a general-purpose room. Consultant gastroenterology care is led by Dr. Raghvendra Prasad, and where a digestive condition turns out to need surgery rather than medical management — gallstones, hernia, a colonic mass, or a bleeding ulcer that needs operative control — care transitions seamlessly to our General Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery teams, who routinely perform laparoscopic gall bladder removal, hernia repair and GI cancer surgery at Mangala Hospital.
This combination — endoscopic diagnosis under one roof, and an experienced surgical team next door when a condition needs an operation — means most digestive complaints can be worked up, diagnosed and, where needed, treated without being referred elsewhere. That surgical team includes Dr. Sriram Bhat M and Chief Laparoscopic Surgeon Dr. Keshav Prasad Y.V., who routinely manage GI cases needing an operation.
Conditions We Treat
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Take a look inside our diagnostics & imaging on the Facilities page.
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Need Urgent Care?
Our Casualty & Emergency department is open 24x7, with mobile ICU ambulance backup — important for GI bleeding or severe abdominal pain.
Call: 0824 244 3088Endoscopic Diagnosis, Backed by Surgical Depth
Dedicated Endoscopy Suite
A purpose-built video gastroscopy and colonoscopy setup, rather than a shared general procedure room.
Same-Day Diagnostic Endoscopy
Most gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures are performed as day-care, with sedation for patient comfort.
Direct Line to General Surgery
Conditions needing an operation — gallstones, hernia, GI cancer — move straight into our experienced laparoscopic and general surgical team.
Dedicated Gastroendoscopy OT
Our operation theatre complex includes an OT specifically equipped for gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
24-Hour Clinical Laboratory
Round-the-clock pathology and biochemistry support for liver function, stool and blood tests alongside endoscopic findings.
24x7 Emergency GI Care
Sudden GI bleeding, severe abdominal pain or suspected perforation are managed round the clock through Casualty.
How We Investigate & Treat Digestive Conditions
Video Gastroscopy (Upper GI Endoscopy)
A thin, flexible video endoscope is passed through the mouth to directly examine the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine. It is the standard way to investigate persistent acidity, ulcer symptoms, difficulty swallowing, unexplained anaemia or upper abdominal pain, and allows a biopsy to be taken in the same sitting if something needs to be sampled.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy examines the full length of the large intestine, used to investigate a change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, or to look for and remove colonic polyps before they progress. Procedures are done under sedation for patient comfort, with same-day recovery in the large majority of cases.
Beyond the Scope: Coordinated Medical & Surgical Care
Liver and pancreatic disease are evaluated using endoscopy findings alongside laboratory and ultrasound imaging. Where a digestive problem is surgical in nature — gallstones, an inguinal or umbilical hernia, a bleeding ulcer needing operative control, or a colonic or gastric tumour — our gastroenterology consultant works directly with the General Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery teams, who routinely perform these procedures at Mangala Hospital.
Your Care Journey, Step by Step
Consultation
An initial assessment of your symptoms, diet, medication history and any prior investigations.
Diagnostic Endoscopy
Gastroscopy, colonoscopy or imaging is arranged to directly visualise the digestive tract where needed.
Treatment
Medical management is started, or — if the condition is surgical — you are referred directly to our General Surgery team.
Follow-Up
Response to treatment is reviewed, with repeat endoscopy or laboratory tests if your consultant recommends it.
Facilities Supporting This Department
Frequently Asked Questions
Persistent acidity or heartburn, difficulty or pain on swallowing, unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks, blood in stool or vomit, or ongoing abdominal pain all warrant an evaluation rather than continued self-medication.
Yes. Gastroscopy requires fasting for several hours beforehand, and colonoscopy requires bowel preparation the day before the procedure. Your consultant will give you exact instructions when the procedure is scheduled.
Procedures are performed under sedation, so most patients feel little to no discomfort and have limited memory of the procedure itself. Mild bloating afterward is normal and settles quickly.
Findings from the endoscopy itself are usually discussed on the same day. If a biopsy was taken, laboratory results typically take a few days, and your consultant will arrange a follow-up to go through them.
You do not need to go elsewhere. Our gastroenterology consultant works directly with the General Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery team at Mangala Hospital, who routinely perform gallbladder, hernia and GI cancer surgery.
Yes, we accept cashless and reimbursement claims from all major mediclaim providers and TPAs. See our Insurance page for the full list, or ask our billing desk to confirm your specific policy.