In a landmark celebration of ten years since the introduction of stool transplant therapy in India, also known as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, held a special gathering for recipients, donors, and medical experts. This milestone event highlighted the significant role of FMT in revolutionizing treatment options for patients suffering from a range of chronic diseases linked to dysbiosis. The therapy has shown promise beyond gastrointestinal and liver disorders, addressing complex conditions like Parkinson’s Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth, a pioneer of FMT in India, performed the country’s first stool transplant on November 14, 2014. Since then, his continued efforts at HCMCT Manipal Hospital have helped establish FMT as a viable, safe treatment option, offering hope to patients who have exhausted traditional approaches. Under Dr. Seth's guidance, Manipal Hospital remains one of the few institutions in India to provide this therapy, restoring gut health and offering renewed quality of life to countless individuals.

The interactive session allowed patients and donors to share personal experiences, underscoring FMT’s effectiveness in tackling complex diseases at their microbial origins rather than merely managing symptoms. Reflecting on the decade-long journey, Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth, VSM, Chairman of the Manipal Institute of Gastroenterology & Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences, remarked, “Stool Transplant or FMT represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of certain gut and liver conditions.

By addressing diseases at their microbial roots, this treatment offers hope to patients who once had limited options. Except for treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis, FMT for all other disorders should be carried out only as part of approved research protocols. It is deeply rewarding to witness the recovery journey of patients who have benefited from FMT, and we are dedicated to continuing to make this transformative therapy available to more individuals in need.”

Hospital Director Viji Varghese emphasised the importance of public awareness in expanding access to stool transplants. “Our celebration of this milestone is more than a commemoration; it is a call for broader recognition and accessibility of stool transplants across India. We are committed to advancing this innovative treatment and ensuring that it reaches more people who can benefit from it,” he said.

As FMT marks a decade of impact in India, HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, remains dedicated to pushing boundaries in chronic disease management, fostering awareness, encouraging donor participation, and expanding the reach of this life-changing therapy across the nation.