Chandigarh:
The day of 24th March 2026 in Chandigarh began on an energetic note with a walkathon organized to promote awareness on cardiovascular health. The walkathon commenced from Kairon Block, PGIMER Chandigarh, and concluded at Sukhna Lake, witnessing enthusiastic participation from healthcare professionals, students, and the public health , emphasizing the importance of physical activity in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Following the walkathon, the 11th International CME on Noncommunicable Diseases was organized by the World NCD Federation in collaboration with PGIMER Chandigarh and NINE. The CME focused on the theme “Tackling Cardiovascular Diseases: A Public Health Perspective,” bringing together leading experts to deliberate on emerging challenges and innovative strategies for prevention and control of CVDs.
The scientific program comprised four technical sessions addressing the evolving landscape of cardiovascular diseases in India.
The first technical session, titled “Changing Landscape of Cardiovascular Disease in India: From Surveillance and Risk Prediction to Workforce Solutions,” focused on emerging trends in cardiovascular health.Prof. Rajesh Vijayvergiya, PGIMER, Chandigarh, highlighted the current burden of CVDs in India with key statistics (2023–2025) and emphasized improved risk assessment, screening strategies, and addressing multi-level barriers to prevention through data-driven approaches.Prof. Manphool Singh, PGIMER, Chandigarh, discussed the limitations of traditional risk models and emphasized the role of advanced cardiovascular imaging, prognostic modelling, and artificial intelligence in improving risk prediction and clinical decision-making.Dr. Kavita Narang, NINE, PGIMER, Chandigarh, highlighted gaps in the healthcare workforce and emphasized the critical role of nurses across all levels of care, along with strategies of task shifting and task sharing and their implementation challenges.
The second technical session, titled “Emerging and Persistent Challenges in Cardiovascular Health: From Novel Risk Factors to Health Systems and Life-Course Care,” focused on both traditional and emerging determinants of cardiovascular diseases.Prof. Pankaj Malhotra, PGIMER, Chandigarh, highlighted the role of Clonal Haematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) as a novel risk factor for coronary artery disease, emphasizing its association with ageing and insights from studies on somatic mutations.Prof. Sreenivas Reddy, PGIMER, Chandigarh, emphasized the importance of robust STEMI registries, sharing experiences from Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, and comparing Indian data with Western studies to improve cardiovascular care systems.Dr. Pooja Sikka, PGIMER, Chandigarh, stressed the importance of early diagnosis and timely management of cardiovascular conditions in women, highlighting comprehensive care across preconception, antenatal, and postnatal stages.Prof. Sanjeev Asotra, IGMC, Shimla, highlighted the persistent burden of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, discussing advancements such as streptococcal vaccines and key challenges in prevention and treatment.
The inaugural session was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. R.K. Ratho, Dean Academics, PGIMER, along with Prof. Rajesh Vijayvergiya, and Dr. Rakesh Sharma. Prof. JS Thakur delivered the welcome address and highlighted key findings from the Chandigarh NCD Registry.Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor and Unit Head, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, emphasized the expanding global presence of the World NCD Federation, which now has a membership base of nearly 20,000, including institutional and individual members across countries. He also highlighted the growing participation in accredited CME programs, reflecting increasing engagement in capacity-building initiatives.Dr. R.K. Ratho underscored the unpredictable and silent nature of cardiovascular diseases, noting that they can affect even young individuals without warning. He emphasized that while awareness around tobacco and alcohol has improved, greater attention is needed on physical inactivity and unhealthy diets as key modifiable risk factors.
The third technical session, titled “Transforming Cardiovascular Care: New Risks, Precision Rehabilitation, and Advances in Heart Failure,” focused on emerging dimensions of cardiovascular risk and innovations in patient care.Prof. Sandeep Grover, PGIMER, Chandigarh, spoke on “The New Face of Cardiovascular Risk: Substance Use, Comorbidities, and Disparities,” highlighting the evolving risk profile and the impact of behavioural and social determinants on cardiovascular health.Dr. Chinmay, PGIMER, Chandigarh, presented on “Bridging Evidence to Outcomes: Precision Cardiac Rehabilitation: Beyond the Hospital and Expanding Access via Hybrid and Home-Based Models,” emphasizing the need to extend cardiac rehabilitation services beyond hospital settings through innovative and accessible models of care.Prof. Ajay Behl, PGIMER, Chandigarh, delivered a talk on “From Molecules to Mindsets: Multidimensional Perspectives on Heart Failure,” highlighting the complex interplay of biological, clinical, and behavioural factors in the management of heart failure.
The fourth technical session featured a panel discussion on “Prevention and Control of CVDs: Key Strategies and Emerging Areas,” supported by the Healthy Oil Consortium (SHIFT) and moderated by Prof. J.S. Thakur, Professor, School of Public Health, PGIMER. The panel brought together experts from academia and public health programs, including Dr. Chinmay, Dr. O.P. Saini (Haryana), Dr. Pankaj Arora, Dr AK Sood and Dr. Avula Laxmaiah.The discussion focused on emerging priorities such as the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in real-time diagnostics and risk stratification, dietary interventions for CVD prevention, and state-level responses to the rising burden of early-onset cardiovascular diseases. Panellists also shared insights on the implementation of STEMI programs, state-specific prevention strategies, elimination of trans-fat consumption, and the role of digital health records in strengthening research and evidence-based policymaking.
The CME also included poster presentations and a public forum where experts interacted with participants, addressing queries related to prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. The forum emphasized lifestyle modification, early diagnosis, and the need for community-level interventions.
The final session featured a Public and Patient Forum on Prevention and Control of CVDs, which provided an interactive platform for participants to engage directly with experts. The session included distinguished experts such as Prof. Rajesh Vijayvergiya, Prof. JS Thakur, Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Prof. Sanjay K. Bhadada, and Prof. Dheeraj Khurana, who addressed queries from the audience and emphasized the importance of awareness, early detection, lifestyle modification, and patient-centered approaches in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.
The event concluded with a valedictory session and general body meeting of the World NCD Federation. Participants appreciated the efforts of the organizers in bringing together diverse stakeholders to address one of the most pressing public health challenges.The CME reinforced the need for coordinated action, innovative solutions, and sustained commitment to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in India.
