National CVD Summit 2026 Concludes in Goa with Call for Scalable Cardiac Care
The National CVD Summit 2026 in Goa concludes with a major call to align policy and implementation for scalable heart care across India.
The National CVD Summit 2026 has officially concluded in Goa, marking the end of three intensive days of discussions aimed at bridging the critical divide between cardiovascular health policy and its practical implementation on the ground. Held under the theme “Policy and Implementation for Scalable Cardiovascular Care,” the summit sought to create a roadmap for heart care that works reliably across diverse districts and states, rather than being limited to isolated centers of excellence.
Organised by the Government of Goa in collaboration with Tricog Health, the event brought together an elite assembly of policymakers, cardiologists, public health leaders, researchers, and health technology experts. The collective goal was to examine the entire cardiovascular care continuum, ranging from early prevention and detection to emergency response, treatment, and long-term management.
A National Blueprint for Heart Attack Response
A significant portion of the summit was dedicated to understanding how a scalable national response to heart attacks could be structured. To inform these discussions, experts shared state-specific experiences and case studies from a wide array of regions, including:
- Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha
- Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, and Meghalaya
- Nagaland, Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and New Delhi
These diverse perspectives helped shape recommendations for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, focusing on critical areas such as STEMI and reperfusion systems, paediatric and women's heart health, heart failure management, data infrastructure, and the responsible integration of technology.
Closing the Gap: Personal Stories and Technological Solutions
The summit was underscored by powerful personal narratives and technological milestones. Shri Vishwajit Rane, the Hon’ble Minister for Health for the Government of Goa, shared a poignant memory during the inaugural ceremony to highlight the necessity of the summit's mission. He recalled a time thirty-five years ago when his father suffered a heart attack in an era lacking local ambulances or immediate cardiac expertise.
"That is the gap this programme was built to close," Shri Rane stated, noting that in Goa, patients receive comprehensive care, including treatment and medication, entirely free of cost without compromising on protocols.
Reinforcing this progress, Shri Yatindra M. Maralkar, IAS, Health Secretary of the Government of Goa, highlighted the technological integration currently in place. He noted that every district hospital in Goa is now linked to a STEMI referral pathway, supported by AI-enabled ECG diagnostics provided by Tricog at the point of care.
Dr. Charit Bhograj, Founder & CEO of Tricog Health, echoed the urgency of the mission, stating that while his company works to ensure timely treatment for all, much of India still lacks the privilege of receiving the right care at the right time.
Addressing the Global and Local Burden
The scientific sessions delved deep into the complexities of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Experts examined how risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia contribute to the growing burden of disease. The discussions also covered the NP-NCD framework for population-based screening.
Special attention was given to often-overlooked demographics, including:
- Paediatric Cardiovascular Disease: Focusing on congenital and rheumatic heart disease.
- Women's Cardiovascular Health: Addressing gaps in recognition, prevention, and the management of cardiac issues during pregnancy.
Wing Commander Dr. Shamanna S. Iyengar, Chair of the Scientific Committee, provided a sobering context for the summit's importance, noting that CVD remains the leading cause of death globally. With nearly 19.4 million lives lost to CVD in 2023, the summit's mission to implement scalable, technology-driven solutions has never been more vital for India's public health landscape.