Chandigarh, February 14
Dr Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh, inaugurated PHASECON 2026, a students’ conference, on Friday, February 13, 2026. The Public Health Association for Students’ Edification (PHASE) organised the conference under the aegis of the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The theme for this year was “Evidence-Based, AI Enabled: Public Health 2.0”. The conference witnessed participation from over 160 delegates. Distinguished experts present included experts from PGIMER, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, the Gates Foundation, AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Guwahati, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, ICMR New Delhi, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Panjab University, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), University of Surrey (United Kingdom), CSIR–Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, World NCD Federation, and Project Concern International, India.
The inaugural session included opening remarks by Dr Vignesh R, Chairperson, PHASECON 2026. Dr Arun K Aggarwal, Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, delivered the welcome address. Brief remarks were delivered by Dr Vishal Dogra, Programme Officer, Neglected Tropical Disease Programme, Gates Foundation; and Dr Karthik Adapa, Regional Advisor, Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence, WHO SEARO. Dr Sanjay Jain, Dean Research, PGIMER, delivered the honorary address before the inaugural address by Dr Vivek Lal.
In his inaugural address, Dr Vivek Lal emphasised the importance of student-led academic platforms in shaping future public health leaders. He highlighted India’s progress in healthcare access while stressing the need to further strengthen health systems through innovation in infrastructure, governance, and technology. Referring to artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool, he stated that its responsible and context-sensitive use could contribute significantly towards achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
The keynote address by Dr Karthik Adapa, titled “Artificial Intelligence Driven Public Health 2030: The Future of Prediction, Prevention and Preparedness, Precision (4P)”, focused on the future of AI-driven public health and the need to bridge the gap between technological innovation and real-world implementation. Speakers emphasised critical thinking, scalability of digital health solutions, and responsible integration of AI into health systems.
Pre-conference workshops were conducted on February 12 on Sample Size Calculation and Systematic Review and Metanalysis. The scientific programme included plenary sessions, expert lectures, panel discussions, and academic competitions covering diverse dimensions of artificial intelligence and public health. The speakers deliberated on role of AI in cancer diagnosis and management, Health Technology Assessment for AI, Strategies for elimination of lymphatic filariasis and visceral leishmaniasis, AI in public health practice, AI for a tobacco-free, AI and environmental epidemiology, AI-enabled telemedicine in India, Evidence-based healthcare delivery, Chandigarh NCD registry, Healthy Oils, Social Mobilization in Neglected tropical diseases, AI medical education and research (ICMR New Delhi), and Ethical and responsible adoption of AI.
The conference included oral and poster scientific presentations, a public health quiz, debate, and other academic competitions, providing students and young researchers a platform for scholarly engagement. The conference concluded with a valedictory ceremony, conference summary presentation, prize distribution, vote of thanks, and the national anthem.
