The pre-conference workshops and scientific sessions of the Coal India Medical Conference (CIMECON) 2026 formally commenced on Friday under the hosting of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), marking the beginning of a major national medical forum dedicated to the health and safety of mining professionals.
The inaugural session was chaired by the Chief Guest, Shri Biranchi Das, Director (Human Resources), SECL. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized that the conference theme, “Healthy Mines,” represents not just an idea but a collective commitment to preparing for future challenges in the mining sector.
“A healthy, capable, and alert workforce will be our greatest strength in the years to come,” Das said. He highlighted the need to further strengthen occupational health services, ensure regular health check-ups for mine workers, promote early diagnosis, and effectively adopt advanced medical technologies. He also spoke about the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in modern healthcare and their potential application in industrial and occupational medicine.
Senior medical professionals present on the occasion included Dr. Shrutidev Mishra, Head of Medical Services, SECL; Dr. Kalyan Sarkar, Head of Medical Services, Sohagpur Area; and Dr. Arihant Jain, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, IVHC (Indira Vihar), SECL. Medical officers from SECL’s subsidiary units and leading hospitals across the country also participated.
The first scientific session featured an in-depth workshop on occupational health, focusing on spirometry, chest X-rays, ILO radiographs, pneumoconiosis, and protocols related to Initial and Periodic Medical Examinations (IME and PME). Discussions centered on early detection, prevention, and effective management of respiratory diseases commonly seen in mining areas.
The second scientific session focused on the role of electrocardiography (ECG) in ischemic heart disease. Experts highlighted the importance of ECG in early diagnosis and timely treatment of cardiac conditions, supported by practical demonstrations and case-based discussions.
In the post-lunch DNB session, young doctors presented complex clinical cases on critical medical conditions, including causes of hemoptysis in coal miners, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in young adults, and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic state. The presentations were evaluated by an expert panel.
CIMECON 2026 has brought together over 250 doctors from Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries, along with renowned medical institutions from across India. The first day of the conference concluded successfully with enriching discussions and meaningful deliberations, setting a strong foundation for the sessions to follow.