Bengaluru, Mar 30: In a significant step towards strengthening trauma care systems in India, HOSMAT Hospitals, a leader in orthopaedics and trauma care, in collaboration with the Bangalore Orthopaedic Society, successfully hosted HOSMAT Traumacon 2026, a first-of-its-kind, practice-driven trauma conference, marked by the formal launch of the HOSMAT Alumni Association, and Golden Hour Network (GHN).
Positioned as a pioneering initiative, the Golden Hour Network is a structured, professional trauma care community that brings together surgeons trained within the HOSMAT ecosystem under a shared commitment to rapid, precise, and outcome-driven trauma care.
More than an alumni collective, GHN is designed as a co-governed clinical and academic network, with a defined programme of monthly clinical rounds, quarterly specialty-focused discussions, and an annual TraumaCon gathering as its apex platform.
Named after the critical “golden hour”, the first hour following injury where timely intervention determines survival, the network reflects a deeper philosophy: that trauma care is not defined by institutions, but by the urgency, precision, and shared responsibility of the clinicians delivering it. Over the next six months, the network will establish its governance structure, onboard senior alumni, and initiate its first clinical engagements.
The launch of GHN underscores HOSMAT’s evolution beyond a high-volume clinical institution into a research-led and academically driven centre of excellence in orthopaedics and trauma care.
Over the past 33+ years, HOSMAT has built one of the country’s most significant trauma ecosystems, performing 25 to 30 trauma surgeries daily, placing it among India’s highest-volume trauma centres. The institution has also contributed extensively to academic medicine, leading over 300 research initiatives, with more than 80 publications in internationally indexed journals, and playing a key role in shaping clinical practice in orthopaedics and trauma.
Its impact on medical education is equally significant. According to Orthopaedic Society of India estimates, nearly 10% of Bengaluru’s orthopaedic surgeons have trained at HOSMAT, reinforcing its role as a major training hub for the next generation of specialists. Over the decades, HOSMAT has also touched nearly one-third of Bengaluru’s population through trauma care, reflecting both its scale and community trust.
Held at the ITC Welcome Hotel, Richmond Road, Traumacon 2026 brought together 150+ leading orthopaedic surgeons, trauma specialists, and clinicians from across India, creating a platform for real-world learning, surgical innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. The event was held in memory of Late Dr Thomas Chandy, a globally respected orthopaedic surgeon and pioneer in trauma care, whose legacy continues to guide the institution’s clinical and academic philosophy.
India continues to face one of the highest trauma burdens globally, with over 4.8 lakh road accidents annually and nearly 1.7–1.8 lakh deaths each year, making trauma one of the leading causes of mortality among young adults. Against this backdrop, Traumacon 2026 was conceptualised to address a critical gap – the need for practice-led, experience-driven learning platforms that directly impact patient outcomes.
The conference featured a comprehensive, full-day scientific agenda with over 25+ expert-led sessions, covering upper limb trauma, complex lower limb injuries, paediatric trauma, non-union surgeries, complication management, medico-legal aspects, and orthopaedic practice efficiency. A defining feature of the conference was its case-based and discussion-led format, enabling clinicians to engage with real-world scenarios and refine decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Reflecting on the significance of the conference and the launch of GHN, Anisha Chandy Eckardt, Managing Director, HOSMAT Hospitals, said:
“Trauma care in India does not suffer from a lack of clinical expertise – it suffers from gaps in time, training, and integration. At HOSMAT, this is a reality we have long recognised, guided by the enduring belief of Dr Thomas Chandy that every patient deserves timely, precise, and compassionate care without compromise. Through Traumacon 2026, we are bringing together some of the finest minds in the field to address these critical gaps – not just through discussion, but through driving real, practice-led change that can improve outcomes where it matters most, in the golden hour of care.
At the same time, we are very consciously investing in transforming HOSMAT into a high-end orthopaedic and trauma research institute. That is the direction we see for ourselves in the years to come – where clinical excellence is deeply integrated with academic leadership, research, and innovation.”
Dr Ravishankar M R, Head of Orthopaedic Trauma, HOSMAT Hospitals and Chairman of Traumacon 2026, added:
“At HOSMAT, trauma care is built on a strong foundation of clinical volume, academic rigour, and continuous research. Managing 25 to 30 trauma surgeries every day gives us a unique depth of real-world experience, while our academic and training programmes ensure that this experience is translated into knowledge. Traumacon reflects this balance – where clinical practice, research, and collaboration come together to create more consistent, evidence-based trauma care systems.”
Adding perspective on the legacy behind the institution, Dr Subodh M Shetty, President, Orthopaedic Society of India, said:
“Dr Thomas Chandy was not just a surgeon – he was a mentor who shaped generations of orthopaedic and trauma specialists in this country. Many of today’s leading surgeons carry forward his approach to precision, discipline, and patient-first care. What we see today in Traumacon is a reflection of that legacy – a commitment to learning, sharing, and continuously improving. The Golden Hour Network, in that sense, is a powerful extension of his vision. It has the potential to bring together expertise across the country and significantly strengthen trauma response systems where it matters most.”
With strong participation, high engagement, and a uniquely practical approach, HOSMAT Traumacon 2026, along with the launch of the Golden Hour Network, marks a significant step towards building a more integrated, collaborative, and research-driven trauma care ecosystem in India.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Traumacon is expected to evolve into a national platform for trauma education, research, and clinical collaboration, bringing together clinicians, institutions, and innovators to shape the future of orthopaedic and trauma care in India.
