The recently concluded 26th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (ISVIR 2026)

underscored India’s growing leadership in interventional radiology, celebrating innovation, collaboration, and a patient-centered approach.

 

Touted as one of the largest interventional radiology gatherings in India, it cemented the specialty’s critical role in shaping the future of modern healthcare.

 

Over four days, the event brought together more than 900 national delegates and faculty, alongside 65 international experts from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the United States.

 

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

 

Addressing the gathering, Prof Mohamed Rela stressed the importance of visionary healthcare leadership, saying, “Meaningful collaboration between healthcare professionals, institutions, and policymakers is essential for building sustainable systems that deliver equitable and impactful patient care.”

 

Sabitha highlighted the growing relevance of minimally invasive therapies in modern medicine, noting, “ISVIR’s efforts in advancing medical innovation while remaining firmly aligned with patient welfare, accessibility, and public health impact are truly commendable.”

 

Shyam Kumar Keshava, President of ISVIR, reflected on the transformative power of interventional radiology (IR), stating, “IR offers safer, less invasive, and cost-effective treatment alternatives, but greater awareness, structured training, and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed to strengthen the future of the specialty in India.”

 

Nitin Shetty emphasized IR’s expanding role in comprehensive patient care and healthcare system strengthening, highlighting the critical importance of cross-sector partnerships.

 

Dr DeepaShree, Organising Chairperson, highlighted ISVIR 2026’s focus on community engagement. A standout initiative was the Beach Walkathon on Day Three, which brought together interventional radiologists and patients who had successfully undergone IR procedures. 

 

The Walkathon was attended by Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Governor of Telangana and Puducherry, and Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, filmmaker, actor, and entrepreneur. Patients shared heartfelt testimonials of their treatment journeys, making the event a moving celebration of the real-world impact of minimally invasive care.

 

The scientific program covered a broad spectrum of topics, including neuro-intervention, oncology, peripheral vascular disease, venous and lymphatic interventions, paediatric IR, musculoskeletal procedures, pain management, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and emerging technologies.

 

Participants benefited from hands-on workshops, masterclasses, live demonstrations, and high-fidelity simulation training.