Prof. Vivek Lal highlights vision for dedicated transplant centre, expansion of services and training
At the inaugural session of the ISTS Annual Conference 2026, Prof. Vivek Lal described organ transplantation as the “highest calling of surgical science,” underlining its life-saving and dignity-restoring impact. The event was held at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh on Saturday.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of eminent figures in the field, including Prof. S.N. Mehta, former Head of the Department of Surgery at AIIMS New Delhi, Prof. Mukut Minz, former Head of Renal Transplant Surgery at PGIMER, and Dr Vatsala Trivedi, a senior transplant surgeon from Mumbai.
Dedicated Transplant Centre to Become Reality
Speaking at the session, Prof. Lal announced a major development for PGIMER, stating that the long-envisioned dedicated transplant centre will soon become a reality. He emphasized plans to strengthen infrastructure, expand training programs, and significantly enhance the reach and impact of transplantation services.
He noted that transplantation is not just a surgical procedure but a transformative intervention that restores life while rekindling hope and dignity among patients.
Tribute to Pioneers and Unsung Heroes
During his address, Prof. Lal paid tribute to pioneers in the field of transplantation and encouraged young medical professionals to draw inspiration from their contributions. He also acknowledged the critical yet often overlooked role of transplant coordinators and donor families, whose support is essential in saving lives through organ donation.
Conference Sets Vision for Future of Transplantation
The inaugural session set a strong and inspiring tone for ISTS 2026 by combining scientific insights with reflections on leadership, compassion, and legacy. It reinforced PGIMER’s commitment to advancing transplantation as a crucial, life-affirming medical discipline.
No Proposal to Merge Governance of Top Medical Institutes
In a related development, the Union Government recently informed the Rajya Sabha that there is no proposal to merge or rationalise the governing bodies of premier autonomous medical institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, RIMS, and NEIGRIHMS.
The clarification was issued in response to a query raised by Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha, reaffirming the government’s current stance on maintaining independent governance structures for these key healthcare institutions.
