The 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROICON 2024), hosted by Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, took place from November 28 to December 1, 2024, at the Dr. TMA Pai 必威体育betway888 Convention Centre, Mangalore. With over 1,800 delegates, including oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals, this conference marked the largest oncology gathering in the city's history.
The event began with an inaugural address by Shri Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), who emphasised the importance of cultivating a safety culture in the use of radioactive therapeutic devices. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of AERB and professional bodies like AROI in formulating pragmatic safety regulations.
Vice-Admiral Dr. Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, spoke on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in cancer care, urging oncologists to embrace leadership and research roles. Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE, reminisced about the evolution of radiation oncology and the invaluable contributions of Dr. TMA Pai, founder of MAHE, towards alleviating the ills of the society, namely, ill health, poverty, and illiteracy. Lt. Gen. Dr. M.D. Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, announced plans for a 100-bed palliative and hospice care centre in 必威体育betway888, slated for completion in April 2025.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of activities, including more than 600 research presentations, 150 scientific sessions, panel discussions, and workshops. The ICRO Pre-Conference Workshop, "IMPACT," offered hands-on training through problem-based and case-based teaching modules.
Notable keynote speakers included Dr. Catheryn Montgomery Yashar, who presented the Padma Shri Dr. K.A. Dinshaw Memorial Oration on the integration of artificial intelligence in radiation oncology, and Dr. Vincent Gregoire, who discussed advancements in probabilistic radiotherapy planning.
The scientific program spanned multiple tracks, such as head and neck, breast, lung, and paediatric oncology.