Chennai, Jan 12: The 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (ISVIR 2026) was successfully held from January 8 to 11, 2026. The four-day scientific meeting emerged as one of the largest interventional radiology conferences in India, with participation from over 900 national faculty and delegates and more than 65 international faculty representing Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the United States.

The prestigious inaugural ceremony was graced by Sabitha IAS, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, as the Guest of Honour.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Mohamed Rela emphasized the importance of leadership rooted in ethics, governance, and long-term vision in healthcare. He highlighted how meaningful collaboration between healthcare professionals, institutions, and policymakers is essential for building sustainable systems that deliver equitable and impactful patient care.

In her address, Sabitha, IAS, spoke about the growing relevance of minimally invasive therapies in modern healthcare systems. She appreciated ISVIR’s efforts in advancing medical innovation while remaining firmly aligned with patient welfare, accessibility, and public health impact.

Speaking on behalf of the society, Shyam Kumar Keshava, President, ISVIR, highlighted the evolution of interventional radiology (IR) as a transformative specialty. He underscored IR’s ability to offer safer, less invasive, and cost-effective treatment alternatives, while stressing the need for greater awareness, structured training, and multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen the future of the specialty in India.

Adding to this vision, Nitin Shetty spoke on the expanding role of interventional radiology in comprehensive patient care and healthcare system strengthening, emphasizing the importance of partnerships across clinicians, industry, and policymakers.

In her address, Dr. DeepaShree, Organising Chairperson, highlighted how ISVIR 2026 went beyond academic excellence to actively focus on patient awareness and community engagement. A key initiative this year was the Beach Walkathon, held on Day Three of the conference, which brought together interventional radiologists and patients who had successfully undergone IR procedures.

The Walkathon was graced by Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Governor of Telangana and Puducherry, and Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (Film maker / Actor / Entrepreneur). The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from doctors, patients, and the public. Patients shared heartfelt testimonials about their treatment journeys and recovery through interventional radiology, making the event a deeply moving and inspiring celebration of patient success stories and the real-world impact of minimally invasive care.

The scientific programme featured parallel sessions covering neuro-intervention, oncology, peripheral vascular disease, venous and lymphatic interventions, paediatric IR, musculoskeletal procedures, pain management, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and emerging technologies. Strong emphasis was placed on skill development through multiple hands-on workshops, masterclasses, live demonstrations, and high-fidelity simulation training.

ISVIR 2026 successfully showcased the growing strength of interventional radiology in India—celebrating innovation, leadership, collaboration, and a strong commitment to patient-centric care, while reinforcing the specialty’s vital role in shaping the future of modern healthcare.