By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : April 06, 2026 9:27 am
Participants also experienced a VR-enabled learning environment designed to support clinical skill development in controlled, repeatable, and risk-free settings
SIMPACT 2026, a national symposium focused on the future of healthcare training and competency-based education, was convened in New Delhi through a collaborative initiative by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), the SET Facility at AIIMS Delhi, and MediSim VR.
The symposium brought together leading healthcare educators, policymakers, clinicians, and simulation experts to examine how simulation-based training and immersive technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), can strengthen clinical competency and improve workforce preparedness across India’s healthcare ecosystem.
Hosted at the Healthcare Sector Skill Council in New Delhi, the event featured keynote sessions, expert panel discussions, and a live demonstration of immersive simulation training at the Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) Lab.
Participants also experienced a VR-enabled learning environment designed to support clinical skill development in controlled, repeatable, and risk-free settings.
The event was attended by distinguished chief guests Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology and Head of the SET Facility, AIIMS Delhi, and Dr. V N Mahalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Santosh Deemed-to-be-University, who shared insights on the transformative role of simulation in healthcare education. The symposium also welcomed Dr. Manish Honwad, Surgeon Rear Admiral, VSM, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini, as Guest of Honor, who highlighted the importance of scaling skill training across both civilian and defence healthcare systems.
The speaker lineup featured prominent healthcare leaders and simulation experts, including Ashish Jain, CEO, Healthcare Sector Skill Council; Dr. Rashmi Ramachandran, Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine & Critical Care, AIIMS Delhi; Dr. Dinker Pai, Director, Medical Simulation Centre and Professor of Surgery, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Centre; and Dr. Adith Chinnaswami, Organising Secretary, SIMPACT 2026, and Co-founder & COO, MediSim VR.
The symposium also featured panel insights from experts across nursing, clinical education, and simulation technology, including Dr. Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Dr. Lekha Viswanath, Col. Binu Sharma, Dr. Anu Gauba, Ms. Ekta Malik, Ms. Robia Chacko, Ms. Anshu Verma, and Mr. Unnikrishnan.
Discussions at SIMPACT 2026 revolved around three key themes: enabling Competency-Based Medical and Nursing Education through simulation, bridging the gap between simulation infrastructure and measurable learning outcomes, and scaling advanced simulation technologies to meet the demands of India’s rapidly growing healthcare workforce.
Speaking on the role of technology in workforce development, Ashish Jain, CEO, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, said, “As India expands its healthcare delivery systems, maintaining consistent training standards becomes critical. Simulation and immersive technologies offer scalable solutions to strengthen skill development and workforce readiness.”
Dr. Ambuj Roy noted, “Simulation enables clinicians to rehearse complex procedures and critical scenarios without patient risk. Its integration into medical education strengthens preparedness, team coordination, and patient safety.”
Emphasising the educational value of immersive learning, Dr. V N Mahalakshmi said, “Simulation is not a substitute for clinical experience. It enables healthcare professionals to learn new skills and refine existing ones in a zero-risk immersive environment, ultimately improving patient care.”
Drawing parallels with defence preparedness, Dr. Manish Honwad said, “In the armed forces, we rely on simulation to prepare for high-risk, high-stakes situations where there is no margin for error. Healthcare operates under similar pressures. Integrating technologies such as virtual reality into medical training ensures professionals are better equipped, more confident, and ready to respond effectively when it matters most.”
Highlighting the role of immersive technology in bridging training gaps, Dr. Adith Chinnaswami said, “Simulation creates a pathway between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. With immersive technologies such as virtual reality, learners can repeatedly practice procedures and decision-making until competency is achieved, significantly improving training quality and consistency.”