The Centre for Chronic Disease Control celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Scientific Symposium in New Delhi, focusing on chronic disease prevention and care.
New Delhi, India — The Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) commemorated its 25th anniversary with a two-day Scientific Symposium held on September 18-19, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event attracted over 400 public health experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from India and around the world, all gathered to discuss advancements in chronic disease prevention and care.
The symposium underscored CCDC’s pivotal role in shaping India’s response to major Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and environmental health. The agenda featured a range of activities designed to translate evidence-based research into actionable policy and practice. Participants engaged in keynote addresses, scientific sessions, panel discussions, fireside chats, poster walks, and exhibition areas.
In his opening remarks, Prof. D Prabhakaran, Executive Director of CCDC, reflected on the institution’s journey since its founding. He stated, “What began as a vision to bridge the gap between clinical care and public health research has grown into a collaborative effort that has changed how India and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) approach chronic diseases. Our work has only just begun; the next 25 years will be even more critical as we move towards a healthier, more equitable India.”
Prominent speakers at the event included Prof. K Srinath Reddy, Founder Director of CCDC and former Head of the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Secretary of the Government of India’s Department of Health Research; Prof. Nikhil Tandon, Head of the Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism at AIIMS; Prof. Venkat Narayan, Executive Director of the Emory Global Diabetes Research Centre; and Prof. Neil Poulter from Imperial College, London.
Prof. K Srinath Reddy delivered the inaugural keynote address, emphasizing the importance of public health being rooted in service to society. He remarked, “Institutions like CCDC show how collaborative, multidisciplinary action can advance Universal Health Coverage and build systems that endure. The principles that have guided this journey must now be carried forward to strengthen healthcare for future generations.”
Throughout the symposium, discussions covered urgent and emerging issues, including digital health for Universal Health Coverage, reimagining health systems for NCD care, food systems and nutrition, cancer research in India, women’s health, mental health, and a session on Exposomics that examined environmental determinants of chronic conditions.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, in a plenary talk, focused on the role of evidence and implementation science in transforming healthcare systems in India. He noted, “While not every policy can be entirely evidence-based, ensuring that health systems are evidence-informed is essential. India is building mechanisms — from evidence synthesis and national guidelines to implementation research — that can bridge the gap between good ideas and real-world impact. The real challenge has been effective implementation, and it is here that research must guide us in creating sustainable change.”
As the symposium concluded, a critical session featuring leading scientists and thought leaders was chaired by Prof. VijayRaghavan and Prof. N.K. Arora. They engaged with younger CCDC researchers, including Dr. Aditi Roy and Dr. Nikhil S.V., to envision CCDC’s efforts over the next 25 years in strengthening health platforms for a developed India. Collaborators and participants expressed a shared commitment to scaling innovation, building capacity, and driving policies that address the growing burden of chronic diseases in India and LMICs.
The Centre for Chronic Disease Control is at the forefront of transforming public health and empowering professionals to tackle the increasing challenge of chronic diseases across India and low- and middle-income countries. Established in 2000 as a non-profit scientific organization, CCDC has been working in partnership with the Government of India to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in the nation.
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