**Executive Summary**
On April 14, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh released the second edition of the "Postgraduate Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition." The Minister emphasized that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a valuable facilitator, medical education must prioritize a strong clinical foundation and conceptual clarity. This updated resource aims to address the significant clinical demand, as nearly 30 percent of pediatric consultations involve gastrointestinal and liver-related disorders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Clinical Foundation and AI**
* Medical education must remain rooted in fundamental understanding and hands-on clinical exposure despite the growing role of AI.
* AI should serve as an assistant or enabler only after a clinician has mastered core medical concepts.
* Over-reliance on technology before grasping basic learning processes risks the development of competent clinicians.
* **Medical Education Evolution**
* The rapid expansion of medical research necessitates a shift toward concept-based learning rather than simple information access.
* Medical education systems must continuously upgrade to integrate technology while managing the increasing complexity of diseases.
* Young professionals are encouraged to build strong basics before specializing in specific medical areas.
* **Textbook Specifications and Updates**
* The second edition expands on the 2016 original, featuring 45 chapters that incorporate recent scientific advances.
* New and updated topics include Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Neuro-gastroenterology, Celiac Disease, and Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy.
* The content covers emerging domains such as the role of genetics in liver diseases, endoscopy, and liver transplantation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Young Medical Professionals and Trainees**
**Impact:** They are provided with a comprehensive resource to navigate a rapidly expanding body of medical knowledge and specialized pediatric fields.
**Action Required:** They must focus on building strong basics and conceptual clarity through hands-on training rather than relying solely on technological aids or AI.
**Practicing Pediatricians**
**Impact:** They receive an updated reference for clinical practice, essential for treating the 30 percent of pediatric patients suffering from GI and liver disorders.
**Action Required:** They should utilize the textbook to align their practices with the latest scientific developments in areas like genetics and transplantation.
**Medical Educators and Institutions**
**Impact:** The document highlights a need for curriculum evolution to balance technology integration with core clinical training.
**Action Required:** They must continuously upgrade education systems to ensure students remain grounded in fundamental clinical skills despite easier access to digital information.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister for Science & Technology who advocated for a concept-based clinical foundation in medical education and oversaw the release of updated medical literature.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary government body responsible for the release of the updated medical curriculum resource and setting the agenda for technology-medicine integration.
Postgraduate Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition: A comprehensive medical educational document released to establish updated clinical standards and specialized training resources for pediatric care.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Calls for Strong
Clinical Foundation in Medical Education,
notwithstanding AI
Dr Jitendra Singh Releases Updated Medical Textbook
Covering Emerging Pediatric GI and Liver Disorders
Expanded Edition of Pediatric Gastroenterology Textbook
Reflects Rapid Advances in Medical Science
Dr Jitendra Singh Emphasizes Concept-Based Learning in
Medicine in Era of Rapid Knowledge Expansion
Posted On: 14 APR 2026 3:29PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a noted Professor of Medicine & Diabetes, today called for
strong clinical foundation in medical education, notwithstanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its
growing role, while releasing the second edition of the Postgraduate Textbook of "Pediatric
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition" edited by Prof. Anupam Sibal and Dr Sarath Gopalan, with a
foreword by Prof Kathleen B Schwartz from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The Minister said that once a sound clinical foundation is established, Artificial Intelligence can serve as a
valuable enabler, assistant and facilitator. However, he added that if one turns to AI before grasping the
essence of medical concepts, there is a risk of missing the basic learning process essential for becoming a
competent clinician, who could be capable of serving the society even in the absence of any instruments,
gadgets, investigations or even drugs.
Referring to the rapidly expanding body of medical knowledge, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the pace of
research and publication has increased significantly, making it essential for medical education to focus on
conceptual clarity and core clinical training. He noted that while new technologies have made access to
information easier, the process of learning must continue to be rooted in fundamental understanding and
hands-on clinical exposure.
The Minister also highlighted the need to continuously upgrade medical education systems in line with
emerging challenges, including the integration of technology and the growing complexity of diseases. He
emphasized that young medical professionals should be encouraged to build strong basics and gradually
develop specialization in chosen areas.
The second edition of the Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition incorporates
recent advances in the field and has been expanded to 45 chapters, including several new topics. The book
provides detailed coverage of key areas such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Neuro-gastroenterology,Celiac Disease and Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy, along with emerging domains like the role of genetics in
gastrointestinal and liver diseases, endoscopy, and liver transplantation.
It was noted that nearly 30 percent of children visiting pediatricians suffer from gastrointestinal and liver-
related disorders, underscoring the importance of updated knowledge and specialized training in this field.
The textbook has been designed as a comprehensive resource for trainees in pediatrics, pediatric
gastroenterology and practicing pediatricians.
The publication has been edited by Prof Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric
Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Apollo Hospitals Group, and Dr Sarath Gopalan, Consultant Pediatric
Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Delhi. Dr Mohammad
Ishaq Malik, Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Government Medical
College, Srinagar, is the Co-Editor.
The foreword of the book has been written by Prof Kathleen B Schwartz, Professor at Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. The first edition of the textbook was published in 2016 and was released
by the then Union Health Minister. The present edition builds upon that foundation by incorporating the
latest scientific developments and clinical practices in the field.*****
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