About the programme
EUS has moved from a specialised, occasional investigation to a routine part of the gastroenterology diagnostic toolkit, working alongside clinical assessment and radiology rather than as a separate, rarely-used technique. This fellowship is built around that shift: a structured, hands-on 2-week programme covering diagnostic and therapeutic EUS, designed specifically for endoscopists early in their independent practice who want supervised exposure before performing these procedures unsupervised.
What makes this training centre credible
The Department of Gastroenterology at KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad was established in 2004, built by senior faculty including Dr. Nagarjuna Kumar, Dr. Sethu Babu, and Dr. Ajith Kumar. It has since grown to 13 consultant gastroenterologists — described as the largest such team among corporate hospitals in the state. Under Dr. Sreekanth Appasani, the department has been recognised as a National Skill Development Centre by ERBE specifically for Third Space Endoscopy & Advanced Gastroenterology. In practical terms, this means the centre's third-space endoscopy training capability has been formally assessed and designated by ERBE (a recognised medical device manufacturer in electrosurgery and endoscopy) as meeting a defined skill development standard — a specific, checkable credential rather than a general marketing claim.
Eligibility & selection
- Applicants must have completed and passed their DM or DrNB specialty exams before applying — this fellowship is not open to trainees still in their specialty programme
- Applications are submitted through the hospital portal
- Candidates are shortlisted and selected through an interview process
Faculty
| Faculty member | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr. Sreekanth Appasani | Consultant Interventional Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopist |
| Dr. Bharath Kumar Ayapati | Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Advanced Therapeutic GI Endoscopy |
| Dr. Spoorthi Kolla | Consultant Interventional Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist |
| Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam | Consultant Medical Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist |
| Dr. Koushik Chavalla | Junior Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist |
| Dr. Ramesh Uddarraju | Junior Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist |
| Dr. Venkatesh Pabbisetti | Consultant Medical Gastroenterologist |
Link each name to that doctor's profile page.
Facilities
- EUS ME3 with high-end Olympus X1
- Fuji 7000 series with zoom scopes
- ARIETTA 850
Curriculum: hands-on training
Daily morning sessions, split between diagnostic and therapeutic EUS:
- Diagnostic EUS — 10 to 15 supervised cases, covering image optimisation, scope handling, patient and scope safety, a station-based approach, and contrast EUS & elastography
- Therapeutic EUS — 4 to 6 supervised cases, covering needle handling, FNAC & fine-needle biopsy, and celiac plexus block
Curriculum: didactic teaching
Daily afternoon sessions — 10 theory classes total across the programme, following the day-by-day schedule below.
Day-by-day schedule
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basics and equipment |
| 2 | Mediastinal station |
| 3 | EG junction station |
| 4 | D1 station |
| 5 | D2 station |
| 6 | Anorectal station |
| 7 | Needles |
| 8 | FNAC & FNBx, celiac plexus block |
| 9 | Cystogastrostomy, biliary drainage, gastroenterostomy, RFA |
| 10 | Interaction with outside eminent faculty |
Certification
A certificate of completion in EUS basics training is provided at the end of the programme.
Fees & payment
- Course fee: ₹1.5 lakh
- Payable to the KIMS Hospitals account via cheque, demand draft, or online transfer — cash is not accepted
- Full payment is required before joining; part payments are not accepted
Accommodation, food & transport
- Trainees get access to the hospital doctors' canteen, with food cards provided (cost borne by the trainee)
- The department assists with finding accommodation, but trainees must make their own arrangements for stay and transport
Where this programme sits
This fellowship is one of two programmes run under Academics at KAGE; the other, the Technician Training Programme, trains endoscopy technicians over two years. Trainees work on our equipment within the department's routine lists rather than on a separate teaching setup, which is what makes the hands-on component meaningful. To apply now, or to ask whether your current experience level fits the programme, contact the academics team.
Frequently asked questions
Only 1 to 2 candidates per monthly session — this is deliberately small-group, closely supervised training rather than a large cohort programme.
It's a specific designation from ERBE, a recognised medical device manufacturer in electrosurgery and endoscopy, formally recognising the department's third-space endoscopy and advanced gastroenterology training capability — a verifiable credential, not a general claim.
Diagnostic EUS across 10 to 15 supervised cases, and therapeutic EUS across 4 to 6 cases including FNAC, fine-needle biopsy, and celiac plexus block, all under direct faculty supervision.
What's the fee, and how is it paid? ₹1.5 lakh, payable in full before joining via cheque, demand draft, or online transfer to the KIMS Hospitals account. Cash and part payments are not accepted.
The department helps with finding accommodation, but trainees arrange and pay for their own stay and transport. Access to the hospital canteen with food cards is provided, at the trainee's own cost.
This is a focused, 2-week hands-on fellowship specifically in EUS for those who have already completed their broader gastroenterology specialty training — it's a skill-specific add-on, not a replacement for formal specialty education.
Applications are submitted through the hospital portal, followed by an interview-based selection process.
Yes — the programme includes a session with outside eminent faculty on the final day.
Book a consultation at KAGE
Speak to a KAGE gastroenterologist about your symptoms, your diagnosis, or a second opinion.