Hyderabad, Telangana, 29th of August 2026 : IPACON 2026, India’s largest congress dedicated to diabetic foot care and limb salvage, hosted by the Indian Podiatry Association (IPA), in association with the Indian Podiatry Association – Telangana Chapter, began at Firefox Sports and Resorts, Moinabad.
The two-day National Congress, being held on August 29th and 30th, 2026; brought together more than 400 delegates, including diabetologists and endocrinologists, vascular and orthopaedic surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, infectious disease specialists, wound-care and rehabilitation professionals, podiatrists, foot-care specialists, researchers, academicians, students and allied healthcare professionals from across India and abroad.
The Congress was inaugurated by Mr. P V Ramesh,Senior IAS (Retd.), Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh; who delivered the Keynote address. Guests of Honour Dr. Gudugani Shridhar,Vice-Chairman, Telangana State Medical Council; Dr. A.P.S. Suri, Founder and National President, Indian Podiatry Association; Dr. K.V.N.N. Santosh Murthy, State President, IPA – Telangana Chapter; Dr. Reginold D. Lam, State Secretary, IPA – Telangana Chapter; Dr David B. Alper, Member Board of Trustees at American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), USA and Dr. Gyaneshwar Atturu, Vascular Endovascular Surgeon, Medicover Hospitals and Scientific Head, IPACON 2026; graced the occasion.
Mr. P.V. Ramesh, IAS (Retd.), Special Chief Secretary, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, called for recognising podiatry as an independent medical discipline in India and introducing specialised courses in medical colleges. Addressing IPACON 2026, he stressed early screening, stronger primary healthcare and multidisciplinary care to prevent diabetic foot complications and amputations. He urged greater public awareness and collaboration among healthcare professionals, governments and regulators towards the goal of zero diabetes-related amputations.
With the theme “Redefining Diabetic Foot Care Through Prevention, Preservation and Regeneration,” IPACON 2026 features over 50 faculty members across 30 scientific sessions, providing a platform for clinicians and researchers to share advances, evidence-based practices and emerging technologies in diabetic foot management and limb preservation.
Speaking ahead of the Congress, Dr. A.P.S. Suri, Founder and National President, Indian Podiatry Association, said, IPACON 2026 is a significant step towards our mission of preventing amputations, preserving limbs and improving the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot disorders. By bringing together multidisciplinary experts, the summit aimed to bridge knowledge, innovation and clinical practice.
Dr. A.P.S. Suri, called for an Amputation-Free India by 2047 through three coordinated priorities: expanding early screening, raising public awareness and strengthening multidisciplinary diabetic foot care. He urged stakeholders to equip frontline healthcare workers with simple screening tools, expand public education and deepen collaboration among diabetologists, surgeons and podiatrists to prevent avoidable amputations.
The scientific programme covers the entire spectrum of diabetic foot and limb preservation, including diabetic foot reconstruction, revascularisation strategies and techniques, limb-salvage algorithms and protocols, regenerative wound healing and biological therapies, HBOT and adjunctive therapies, infection and osteomyelitis, antibiotic stewardship, offloading, gait and preventive podiatry, stem cells, PRP and dermal substitutes, advanced wound care and dressings, and amputation prevention and rehabilitation.
A key highlight of IPACON 2026, is the hands-on workshops, designed to translate knowledge into clinical practice. The workshops will include international product demonstrations, advanced wound-healing techniques, total contact casting, debridement techniques, a wound-care masterclass and vascular workshops.
Dr. K.V.N.N. Santosh Murthy, State President, IPA – Telangana Chapter, said, IPACON Telangana Summit 2026 provides a comprehensive platform for experts, researchers and clinicians to address the full spectrum of diabetic foot care, from prevention and risk management to wound healing, vascular care, reconstruction, rehabilitation and quality of life. It also emphasises stronger multidisciplinary collaboration and better patient outcomes.
With India now leading the world in diabetes cases, lower-limb complications have become a critical public health challenge. Approximately 40 percent of our patients live with diabetes, and many remain completely unaware of their condition until severe complications arise. Mobility is fundamental to personal independence and quality of life. To safeguard our patients’ freedom and well-being, we are hosting a national conference uniting leading global podiatric experts. Together, international and local specialists will share critical knowledge, clinical insights, and preventative strategies to ensure no patient faces unnecessary leg amputation. Early intervention is vital. We urge individuals experiencing foot complications or sensory changes to consult a podiatrist immediately. Our ultimate objective is to make Telangana an amputation-free state.
The Congress will also explore evidence-based practice and guidelines, research and innovation, rehabilitation and prosthetics, functional restoration, multidisciplinary team integration, infection control and antimicrobial stewardship, patient-centric care and emerging frontiers in diabetic foot management.
Dr. David B. Alper, Member of the Board of Trustees of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), USA, stressed the urgent need for early detection and treatment of diabetic foot complications to prevent avoidable amputations. He emphasised that regular foot examinations—even a simple three-minute check, can identify early warning signs and enable timely intervention. He called for a proactive, multidisciplinary approach involving podiatrists, vascular surgeons, diabetologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, primary-care doctors and patients. Looking at the feet must become an integral part of diabetes care, he said, urging stronger international collaboration to achieve a common goal of prevent amputations, save lives and keep people moving.
Dr. Reginold D. Lam, State Secretary, IPA – Telangana Chapter, said, with a vision to bridge evidence, innovation and clinical practice, IPACON Telangana Summit 2026 delivers a high-impact learning through expert sessions, hands-on workshops and multidisciplinary discussions, equipping healthcare professionals with practical, contemporary approaches to save limbs and improve patient outcomes.
About Indian Podiatry Association
The Indian Podiatry Association (IPA) is a non-profit professional organisation dedicated to advancing diabetic and non-diabetic foot care, wound healing and amputation prevention in India and globally. It brings together professionals from multiple disciplines, including podiatrists, surgeons, physiotherapists and allied healthcare specialists, with a focus on education, research, clinical training, advocacy and collaboration. With 18 chapters across India, IPA works towards improving the quality of life of people affected by diabetic and other foot disorders. Its mission is encapsulated in its powerful motto: “I Prevent Amputation.”
About IPA Telangana Chapter
The IPA Telangana Chapter was established on November 8, 2019, and was inaugurated by then Telangana Health Minister Etala Rajender. Led by Dr. K.V.N.N. Santosh Murthy, the Chapter is committed to strengthening diabetic foot care through professional education, clinical training, public awareness and outreach programmes across Telangana. Through its IPA Education Academy, the Chapter conducts educational initiatives, campaigns and professional programmes aimed at enhancing awareness and expertise in foot care and wound management. Its guiding mission remains simple and powerful: “I Prevent Amputation.”
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