- Worldwide delegates to converge at 5th Annual INSHLT 2024 for most advanced Insights
- Under the theme #LearnFromPioneers, it offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights from trailblazers who are revolutionizing the field of heart and lung transplant medicine
- A dedicated meeting will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, where government officials, medical colleges, and CHC representatives discussed strategies to improve organ donation rates across Gujarat as the state trails behind Telangana, Tamil Nadu and NCR
- While America performs over 4,000 heart transplants in a year, with a population of 140 crore only around 200 to 250 take place in India
NE HEALTH BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 17
With an aim to create an awareness on organ donation and the benefit of heart and lung transplants in Gujarat, the 5th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (INSHLT), in collaboration with the Society for Heart Failure and Transplantation (SHFT), is set to be hosted from Friday to Sunday, October 18-20, 2024, at Club Babylon and the Sheraton Convention Centre in Ahmedabad. As India’s largest conference on Heart and Lung Transplantation, the event will consolidate top surgeons and experts from around the world to discuss the latest advancements, address key challenges, and explore the future of transplant medicine.
While America performs over 4,000 heart transplants in a year, with a population of 140 crore only around 200 to 250 take place in India. This is due to lack of awareness among the masses on the advancement in heart and lung transplants in the country, said experts here on Thursday.
South India receives more heart donations due to increased deceased donations and hence lead in heart transplantation. In 2023, 221 heart transplants were performed across India. Of these 70 were done in Tamil Nadu, followed by Karanatala with 35, Maharashtra performed 33, Gujarat carried out 33 and Telangana saw 15 such surgeries. Delhi-NCR witnessed only 14 transplants. India recorded 1,099 heart donations in 2023, with Telangana leading at 252, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, according to Notto (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation) data.
The conference will witness international experts in heart and lung transplantation, prominent surgeons from the USA, Canada, Belgium, the UK, Japan, and many other countries. Under the theme #LearnFromPioneers, it offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights from trailblazers who are revolutionizing the field of heart and lung transplant medicine. The agenda includes lectures, panel discussions, and case studies with a strategic focus on advancing heart and lung transplantation in India. Key discussions will address critical challenges like donor shortages, long waiting lists, and post-transplant care, while also exploring most advanced technologies that could enhance transplant outcomes. These conversations will chart a path for the future, setting the foundation for the sustained growth and success of transplant programs across the country.
Another important aspect of the conference will be the focus on Organ Donation Awareness. A dedicated meeting will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, where government officials, medical colleges, and CHC representatives discussed strategies to improve organ donation rates across Gujarat. This meeting emphasizes the urgent need for greater collaboration between the medical community and the government to save more lives through organ donation initiatives.
The main sessions will focus on Heart Transplantation and Lung Transplantation. There will be sessions dedicated to discussions and experience exchange on interesting cases. In ‘MEET THE EXPERT SESSION’ there will be exclusive discussion with stalwarts of Heart and Lung Transplantation. One of the most promising sessions will be the Foundation Track, a session tailored for beginners which will include topics such as Setting up a Transplant Program – Infrastructure to Human Resource; Basics of Transplantation; Donor Optimization; Organ Harvesting Technique (Video Session); and Challenges in Transplantation Program.
Dr. Milan Chag, Organizing Chairman of INSHLT 2024 Ahmedabad, praises the event’s collaborative spirit, stating, “Our goal is to unite global leaders in transplant medicine. The exchange of ideas and innovations at INSHLT 2024 will be incredibly enriching, enhancing patient care and strengthening our mission to advance healthcare in India. We believe this collaboration drives the future of cardiac and pulmonary transplantation to new heights.”
Dr Dhiren Shah, Organizing Secretary of INSHLT 2024, expresses his enthusiasm for the event. “With more than 400 delegates from Nepal, South Korea, Bangladesh, etc. participating, this conference serves as a vital platform for exchanging cutting-edge knowledge in heart and lung transplants. The strong turnout reflects the growing importance of this specialty in India’s healthcare landscape. By uniting top minds in transplantation, we are driving innovation that will improve patient care and outcomes nationwide.
Dr Jnanesh Thacker, Group Director of Lung Transplantation and Minimally Invasive Lung Transplantation, Marengo CIMS Hospital, says “The advancements in minimally invasive lung transplantation are revolutionizing the way we approach complex cases, offering patients quicker recovery, less pain, minimal or no blood transfusion and improved outcomes. At INSHLT 2024, we aim to share this breakthrough with the national and international lung transplant community. We look forward to foster collaboration with the community to elevate care of lung transplant patients in our country.
Dr Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member, Managing Director & Group CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals, says, “At Marengo Asia Hospitals, we are committed to advancing organ transplantation in India through world-class medical expertise and innovation. Supporting INSHLT 2024 aligns with our mission to bring the latest advancements in heart and lung transplantation to the forefront. This conference will not only enhance patient care but also inspire the next generation of transplant specialists to lead the way in life-saving procedures.”
Marengo CIMS Hospital, with its highly reputed Heart and Lung Transplant Program, has been instrumental in advancing transplant-related healthcare in India and was the main supporter of this conclave. The hospital’s contributions to the conference reaffirm its dedication to driving innovations that benefit both patients and the medical community. As one of the largest and most successful conferences on transplantation, the 5th Annual INSHLT will bring to light new research, techniques, and clinical advancements that will shape the next decade of transplant medicine in India and beyond.
The Indian Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (INSHLT) in the past has developed a heart and lung transplant registry that serves as a national database on the number of transplants being done and would soon expand to include post-transplant outcome data as well. This heart and lung transplant registry was developed on the lines of the European one, involving all heart and lung transplant centres.
