Shillong, July 6: The first-ever IRIA Meghalaya State Chapter Conference was successfully held at Vivanta Shillong, bringing together radiologists, residents and allied radiology professionals from across the region to discuss the latest developments in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
Organised by the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA), Meghalaya State Chapter, in association with radiology market leaders United Imaging–Medikabazaar, the conference attracted around 80 participants. The programme featured academic sessions, invited lectures, resident ePoster and paper presentations, as well as a radiology quiz competition.
In the quiz competition, the Bethany Hospital team emerged as the winner, while the NEIGRIHMS team secured the runners-up position.
In the resident ePoster competition, Dr Wanboklang Nongsiej of Christian Medical College, Vellore, won first prize. Dr Nikita Bhimjiyani and Dr E. Khonglah, both residents of Shillong Medical College–Civil Hospital, secured the second and third prizes respectively.
The Dr Akash Hadique Memorial Award was presented to Dr Kartick Martiwar of Bethany Hospital in recognition of his academic excellence and outstanding performance as a postgraduate radiology resident.
Meanwhile, Dr Sam Pamei, senior radiologist at Supercare Hospital, Shillong, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution to the field of radiology in Meghalaya.
The conference featured invited lectures by Dr Suman Hazarika, Head of the Department of Radiology at Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati, and Dr Rahul Ramchiary, Head of the Department of Radiology at Health City Hospital, Guwahati, who also served as judges for the academic competitions.
Speaking at the event, Dr C. Daniala, President of the IRIA Meghalaya State Chapter, said the visiting experts appreciated the progress made by Meghalaya in both diagnostic and interventional radiology. He noted that advanced investigations such as cardiac MRI are available at only a few centres in the Northeast, with NEIGRIHMS being one of them.
Dr Humsheer S. Sethi, Secretary of the IRIA Meghalaya State Chapter, delivered a presentation on FDG PET/CT imaging in oncology, discussing several clinical cases. He noted that although Shillong does not yet have a PET/CT facility, valuable experience has been gained by interpreting scans brought by patients who underwent imaging outside the state.
Dr Donboklang Lynser, President-Elect of the chapter, showcased several complex abdominal interventional radiology procedures, highlighting how minimally invasive image-guided treatments have benefited patients in Meghalaya by reducing the need for major surgery.
The conference marked a significant milestone in strengthening radiology education, fostering academic collaboration and promoting advanced patient care in Meghalaya.
