R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APR 12
In a powerful convergence of policy, practice, and innovation, the 10th edition of CAHOCON 2026 transformed Chennai into the epicentre of global healthcare excellence, with former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating India’s premier healthcare quality conference.
Organised by the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, the three-day summit (April 10–12) has drawn an impressive 2,500 delegates, including over 200 international participants and 20 experts from the International Society for Quality in Health Care, marking it as the first ISQua Regional Conference for South Asia.
- Venkaiah Naidu calls for stronger rural healthcare, AI adoption & preventive care push
- 2,500 delegates, 200+ global experts converge for India’s premier healthcare quality summit
- ISQua-backed regional meet showcases future of patient safety & digital health
- 200+ exhibitors, 40 workshops & 32 hospitals drive hands-on learning
- MoU with IIM Jammu, new quality centres signal sectoral transformation
‘Healthcare must reach all, not a privilege for few’
Delivering the Chief Guest address, Naidu stressed the urgency of equitable and accessible healthcare.
“The governments must prioritise the creation of robust healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that quality care is accessible to all, ideally at no cost. While insurance penetration has improved over the years, a significant proportion of patients still rely on out-of-pocket expenditure, which remains a major concern.”
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He highlighted the role of partnerships and technology: “There is immense potential for Public-Private Partnerships to bridge gaps in access and affordability, enabling more efficient and widespread delivery of healthcare services. At the same time, healthcare practitioners must embrace artificial intelligence to expand reach, improve diagnostics, and enhance patient outcomes.”
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Emphasising prevention, he added: “Equally important is strengthening awareness at the community level, with a strong focus on preventive care, this will play a crucial role in reducing the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in the long term.”
Global minds, shared mission
The conference features high-impact scientific sessions, panel discussions, innovation showcases, and poster presentations by clinicians and researchers—fostering cross-border knowledge exchange on patient safety, accreditation, and digital transformation.
Keynote speaker Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of the Apollo Hospitals, and special address by Dr. Ezequiel Garcia Elorrio added global perspectives to the deliberations.
Leadership voices & visionary initiatives
Prominent healthcare leaders, including Dr. Vijay Agarwal, President, CAHO and Dr. Lallu Joseph, Secretary General – CAHO, and AGS & Quality Manager at Christian Medical College, Vellore addressed the gathering, while Dr. Nalla G. Palaniswami, Organising Chairperson, CAHOCON 2026 welcomed participants.
Dr. S. Manivannan, Org. Co-Chairperson, CAHOCON 2026 and Founder & Managing Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals delivered the theme address, and Dr. Sathish Devadoss, Org. Secretary, CAHOCON 2026 and Vice Chairman of Devadoss Multispecialty Hospitals, Madurai proposed the vote of thanks.
From exhibition floors to operating rooms
A sprawling exhibition featuring 200+ stalls showcased cutting-edge innovations from medical equipment manufacturers, pharma firms, and digital health companies.
Additionally, 40 pre-event workshops involving 32 leading hospitals in Chennai provided hands-on training in quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical best practices, making the event a blend of theory and real-world application.
New mlestones: MoUs, journals & future frameworks
The inaugural ceremony saw the release of the Conference Souvenir, academic publications, and journals, alongside the launch of new programmes on healthcare risk, laparoscopic governance, pharmacy governance, rehabilitation, and patient-friendly hospital administration.
A significant highlight was the signing of an MoU between CAHO and the Indian Institute of Management Jammu to strengthen management practices in healthcare.
Announcements were also made regarding Centres for Quality Promotion and new CAHO forums focusing on human resources, infection prevention, and occupational health.
The conference will culminate with the prestigious CAHO Awards, recognising excellence in healthcare quality and patient safety on Sunday.
