With over 500 million people affected by the hepatitis virus around the world, liver diseases such as liver cancer are on the increase. The hepatitis B and C viruses – causes of cancers and cirrhosis - may have dramatic consequences. Patients die without specialists being able to operate properly. In fact, only few surgeons have been trained to perform complicated liver operations.

Given the lack of appropriate training programs in this specialty, the Hepatobiliary Institute has been set up. The Institute's main objective is to develop a practical specialized program in Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, taught by renowned international experts. I wish to transmit this savoir-faire to surgeons from all over the world - and from developing countries in particular – so that they may in turn train specialists in their own countries, and thus save lives.

In order to ensure that this program is open to all digestive surgeons – whatever their country or social status – we are committed to develop partnerships through sponsorships with institutions, foundations, associations, manufacturers, pharmaceutical groups and medical devices firms.

Pr Henri Bismuth