Chandigarh, April 13
The Department of Telemedicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh, successfully celebrated its 21st Foundation Day on 13th April 2026 through an online mode, marking over two decades of excellence in advancing telehealth services, education, and research in India. Addressing the occasion at the outset, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, said, “Over the past two decades, telemedicine has emerged as a powerful enabler of equitable healthcare, bridging distances and reaching the unreached. The Department of Telemedicine at PGIMER has played a pivotal role in this transformation through innovation, capacity building, and patient-centric digital solutions. As we move forward, strengthening robust, secure, and inclusive telehealth ecosystems will be key to delivering quality healthcare to every corner of the country.”
This was followed by the traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Prof. Biman Saikia, Head, Department of Telemedicine, presented the Departmental Progress Report, outlining key achievements over the past year. He emphasized advancements in teleconsultation services, development of e-learning modules, collaborative projects, and expansion of outreach programs aligned with national digital health initiatives.
The Chief Guest Lecture was delivered by Dr. Sunil Shroff, President, TSI and Founder of MOHAN Foundation, on the emerging issue of “Shadow AI in Healthcare and DPDP Violations.” He highlighted the growing use of unregulated and unsanctioned AI tools in clinical practice, often referred to as “shadow AI,” and raised concerns regarding patient data privacy, consent, and security. He emphasized the implications of such practices under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, stressing the need for robust governance frameworks, institutional policies, and clinician awareness to prevent data breaches and ensure ethical use of digital technologies in healthcare.
The highlight of the event was the Keynote Address by Dr. Uma Nambiar, Vice President TSI and CEO, IISc Medical School Foundation, Bengaluru, on the theme: “Telemedicine: Need for an Ecosystem Approach.” She elaborated on the necessity of integrating technology, policy frameworks, healthcare providers, and patient engagement to build a sustainable and scalable telemedicine ecosystem. She stressed that isolated technological interventions are insufficient without strong institutional support, interoperability standards, training, and community participation. Her address underscored the importance of a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to fully realize the potential of telemedicine in achieving equitable healthcare delivery.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Amit Agarwal, Project Lead, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, organizers, and participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the event. The celebration reaffirmed the department’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the evolving landscape of digital health and telemedicine.
