IAPCON 2026: Thoughtfully Reimagining the Conference Experience

IAPCON 2026: Thoughtfully Reimagining the Conference Experience

– Dr Raju SKV, Hyderabad

IAPCON 2026, to be held in Hyderabad, is more than the 33^rd Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care. Organised by Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad and Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, the IAPCON 2026 is a conscious attempt to reimagine how we meet, learn, reflect, and connect as a community committed to care, dignity, and compassion. This year, several unique initiatives have been thoughtfully woven into the conference design; each rooted in listening to what our community values most.

A Silent Conference: Creating Immersive Learning Spaces

One of the most distinctive features of IAPCON 2026 is the Silent Conference format. By using headphones for scientific sessions, we aim to create an immersive learning environment with minimal noise, improved focus, and better accessibility across parallel tracks. It also allows sessions to coexist harmoniously within shared spaces, encouraging fluid movement and choice without disruption; quietly innovative, and intentionally inclusive.

Sustainability in Action: Our Commitment to a Green Conference

Equally important is our commitment to being a Green Conference. Sustainability is not an add-on but a guiding principle. From reducing paper use and encouraging digital engagement through the conference app, to mindful waste management and eco-conscious choices, IAPCON 2026 strives to minimise its environmental footprint while maximising shared responsibility.

Strengthening Academic Partnerships: The ASCO–MASCC–IAPC Joint Track

A notable academic addition is the joint track by ASCO, MASCC and IAPC, bringing together two organisations deeply invested in education, ethics, and excellence in palliative care. This collaborative track reflects the strength of partnerships and the richness that emerges when diverse institutional perspectives come together with a shared purpose.

Scientific Excellence: Plenaries, Oration, and Individualised Learning Tracks

The scientific heart of the conference is strengthened through plenary sessions that speak to the continuum of care; hospital, hospice, and home; alongside an oration by Dr Sukdev Nayak, whose work and insights have shaped practice and thought in meaningful ways. Delegates will also benefit from individualised tracks, allowing them to curate their conference journey based on personal interests and professional focus.

Beyond Lectures: Hands-on Workshops for Deeper Engagement

Learning at IAPCON 2026 extends well beyond lectures. A wide range of hands-on workshops have been designed; covering topics from making therapy truly individualistic for patients and families, preserving dignity and processing grief, to empathy and storytelling in palliative care, photography as a tool of liberation, and navigating complex decisions for very sick children. These sessions invite participation, reflection, and skill-building in equal measure.

Technology for Seamless Experience: The IAPCON 2026 Conference App

Technology plays a supportive role through the official IAPCON 2026 conference app, which serves as a single platform for schedules, updates, session navigation, and engagement: making the experience seamless and paper light.

Celebrating Culture and Connection: Gala Dinner and Campus Living

Beyond academics, the conference also celebrates connection and culture. The Gala Dinner at the historic Taramati Baradari promises an evening steeped in heritage, conversation, and shared celebration. The venue itself; the serene National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme); offers a calm, green campus with on-site accommodation, allowing delegates to learn and stay within one cohesive space.

And then there is Hyderabad; a city that effortlessly blends history and modernity. From its rich cultural legacy and thriving arts scene to its warmth, hospitality, and unforgettable food, Hyderabad offers a backdrop that complements the spirit of IAPCON 2026.

At its core, IAPCON 2026 is not just format or features, but intent: to create a conference that is mindful, meaningful, and deeply aligned with the values of palliative care. We look forward to welcoming you to Hyderabad; to listen, to learn, and to care, together.