Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 18 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday attended the annual conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA) held at Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the Indian Orthopaedic Association, founded in 1955, was established by visionary surgeons who understood the needs of a young and newly independent India. "They realised the importance of a strong national organisation to promote learning, encourage research and uphold ethical medical practices in orthopaedics.", he said.
"This vision has been carried forward with dedication and consistency over the decades. In the 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, despite limited resources and developing infrastructure. During this period the IOA emerged as an important 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. A major milestone in this journey was the start of the Annual Conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOACON) in the late 1950s, which was conceived as a national forum for academic exchange and professional dialogue and has remained so over the years," the Assam Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister added that the early IOACON conferences focused on critical 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 specialized and IOACON expanded in both scale and academic depth, covering areas such as joint replacement, spine care, sports injuries, paediatric orthopaedics, and hand and trauma care. These platforms have helped maintain high standards of training and patient care in the country," the Chief Minister said.
He further stated that beyond conferences, the IOA has played a key role in strengthening medical education by promoting continuous learning, supporting postgraduate training and encouraging research among young doctors, thereby ensuring a strong and ethical future for the profession.
Referring to Guwahati as a rapidly emerging metropolitan city, he said that 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 that a 5,000-seat auditorium would be inaugurated in Guwahati on December 29, along with the opening of a convention centre in the city.
Highlighting the government's focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that the state has set a target of establishing one medical college in each district.
"At present, 15 medical colleges are functional in Assam, while 10 more are at various stages of construction. By 2030, 25 medical colleges would be functional in the state, leading to the creation of a large pool of medical specialists, including orthopaedic surgeons," the Assam Chief Minister said.
Emphasising cancer care, he said that, with support from the Tata Trusts, the state government has established 17 cancer hospitals across Assam.
"In addition to a state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Guwahati, district-level and regional cancer care centres have also been developed. Assam has taken the lead as the first state in the country to move ahead with the installation of proton therapy equipment for cancer treatment," he said.
The Chief Minister noted that the dedicated and round-the-clock services rendered by doctors, healthcare workers and nurses helped Assam record a significantly lower mortality rate even during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the improved healthcare system in the state.
He said that 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, he invited the delegates to visit major tourist attractions of 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.