The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram recently celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years since its establishment in 1975. This department was the first in India to focus exclusively on complex gastrointestinal conditions requiring surgical intervention. The celebration included a two-day event featuring a continuing medical education program and an alumni gathering.

Under the leadership of N. Rajan, the department has trained many prominent GI surgeons who now lead major training centers both domestically and internationally. It has collaborated closely with the Department of Medical Gastroenterology, which was established earlier in 1973, to provide comprehensive care for patients with various GI disorders.

Over the decades, the department has expanded its capabilities significantly. It began offering surgical treatments for chronic pancreatitis and portal hypertension and became known for surgeries related to GI cancers. Notably, it hosted the 22nd national conference of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology in 1981, showcasing its academic achievements.

The introduction of a superspeciality MCh course in 1996 further enhanced patient care and educational opportunities within the field. Subsequent developments included opening a super specialty block as part of a government project in 2011 and expanding critical care facilities between 2018 and 2019.

Today, this department performs numerous major open and laparoscopic surgeries daily for various GI issues, including liver transplants through public-private partnerships with KIMSHEALTH. Additionally, it has contributed to medical literature with over 25 publications in indexed journals and is currently conducting research on pancreatic surgery among other areas.

Original article

The text presented is a celebratory piece on the golden jubilee of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. At first glance, it appears to be a neutral, informative article about a medical institution's achievements. However, upon closer examination, several biases and manipulations become apparent.

One of the most striking biases is nationalist bias. The text proudly proclaims that this department was "the first in India to focus exclusively on complex gastrointestinal conditions requiring surgical intervention." This framing implies that India is capable of achieving greatness and pioneering medical advancements, reinforcing a positive national identity. The use of "first in India" also creates a sense of pride and accomplishment, subtly promoting Indian exceptionalism. Furthermore, the celebration's focus on 50 years since its establishment in 1975 serves as a reminder of India's independence and self-reliance.

The text also exhibits cultural bias through its emphasis on traditional Western-style medical education and research. The introduction of a superspeciality MCh course in 1996 is presented as an enhancement to patient care and educational opportunities within the field. However, this narrative overlooks alternative or complementary approaches to medicine that may be more relevant or effective in different cultural contexts. The text's focus on Western-style medical education reinforces the idea that this approach is superior or more desirable.

The language used also reveals linguistic bias through its emotionally charged tone and euphemisms. Phrases such as "golden jubilee" and "prominent GI surgeons" create a sense of grandeur and prestige around the department's achievements. Additionally, words like "comprehensive care" for patients with various GI disorders downplay any potential criticisms or controversies surrounding medical treatment options.

Structural bias is evident in the way sources are cited or implied but not explicitly mentioned. For instance, when discussing research contributions to medical literature with over 25 publications in indexed journals, there is no mention of specific studies or authors beyond general statements about academic achievements. This lack of transparency raises questions about who these researchers are, what their backgrounds are, or what methodologies were used to arrive at these conclusions.

Furthermore, confirmation bias becomes apparent when examining how certain facts are presented without question or challenge from opposing viewpoints. For example, there is no discussion about potential limitations or controversies surrounding liver transplants performed through public-private partnerships with KIMSHEALTH (a private healthcare provider). Instead, such collaborations are portrayed as beneficial for patient care without acknowledging potential conflicts of interest.

Temporal bias emerges when considering how historical events are framed within the narrative structure. The department's establishment in 1975 marks its golden jubilee; however; there seems to be an erasure regarding other significant events during this period that might have impacted its development (e.g., economic conditions during India's post-independence era).

Lastly data-driven bias can be observed when looking at statements regarding research output: over 25 publications across various indexed journals without specifying which journals they were published in nor any details regarding methodologies employed by researchers conducting these studies leaves room for skepticism towards claims made by authors citing their own work while omitting key information necessary for readers evaluating credibility themselves