Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 19 (HBTV): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the annual conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA) held at Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, where he outlined the state government’s plans to significantly expand healthcare infrastructure.
Addressing the gathering, Sarma said the Indian Orthopaedic Association, founded in 1955, was established by visionary surgeons who recognised the needs of a young and newly independent India. He noted that the organisation understood the importance of building a strong national platform to promote learning, encourage research and uphold ethical medical practices in orthopaedics.
He said this vision has been carried forward with dedication over the decades. In its early years, orthopaedic practice in India was shaped by the health challenges of the time, with doctors largely treating injuries, bone and joint infections, tuberculosis and deformities caused by polio, often amid limited resources and developing infrastructure. During this phase, the IOA emerged as a key platform for doctors from across the country to share knowledge, learn from one another and collectively improve patient care.
With the expansion of medical colleges and training institutions, the IOA also grew in strength and influence. The Chief Minister highlighted the launch of the Annual Conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOACON) in the late 1950s as a major milestone, describing it as a national forum for academic exchange and professional dialogue that has remained relevant over the years.
He added that the early IOACON conferences focused on issues such as bone and joint infections, polio-related deformities and the management of injuries and fractures. Over time, as medical science advanced, orthopaedic care became more specialised and IOACON expanded in scale and academic depth, covering areas including joint replacement, spine care, sports injuries, paediatric orthopaedics, and hand and trauma care.
Sarma further said that beyond conferences, the IOA has played an important role in strengthening medical education by promoting continuous learning, supporting postgraduate training and encouraging research among young doctors, helping ensure a strong and ethical future for the profession.
Referring to Guwahati as a rapidly emerging metropolitan city, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Assam on a two-day programme starting December 20 and inaugurate the newly constructed state-of-the-art terminal building of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport. He also said a 5,000-seat auditorium would be inaugurated in Guwahati on December 29, along with the opening of a convention centre.
Highlighting the government’s focus on healthcare, the Chief Minister said Assam has set a target of establishing one medical college in each district. He stated that 15 medical colleges are currently functional in the state, while 10 more are at various stages of construction. By 2030, he said, 25 medical colleges would be operational in Assam, leading to the creation of a large pool of medical specialists, including orthopaedic surgeons.
Emphasising cancer care, Sarma said that with support from the Tata Trusts, the state government has established 17 cancer hospitals across Assam. He added that along with a state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Guwahati, district-level and regional cancer care centres have also been developed, and that Assam has become the first state in the country to move ahead with the installation of proton therapy equipment for cancer treatment.
The Chief Minister noted that the dedicated and round-the-clock services of doctors, healthcare workers and nurses helped Assam record a significantly lower mortality rate even during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting improvements in the state’s healthcare system. He said cooperation between the government and private healthcare sectors has helped Assam set an example in medical services and created an enabling environment for doctors to serve society.
Referring to a New York Times survey that ranked Assam as the world’s fifth emerging tourist destination, Sarma invited the delegates to visit major tourist attractions in the state, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Charaideo Maidams, Kaziranga National Park, tea gardens, hill districts, Kamakhya Temple, Umananda and Batadrava, the birthplace of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardev.
The programme was attended by Indian Orthopaedic Association President Dr Ajit Sinde, Dr Anup Agarwal, IOACON 2025 President Dr D A Phukan, Secretary Dr Chinmay Das, other office-bearers of the association, delegates from various states and other distinguished personalities.
(ANI)