Interventional Radiology (IR) in India is an exciting new specialty that still has a long way to go. Some of the major challenges include limited facilities, a shortage of manpower, financial limitations, and weak awareness, especially in non-metro areas. The cost of devices brought into the country and intricate procurement practices usually limit patient access to advanced interventions. Moreover, a shortage of trained interventional radiologists is palpable, and this keeps infrastructure idle and decreases efficiency in attending to patients. Awareness of the potential of IR is still low, both among the general public and even within sections of the medical community, and regulatory systems and conflicting responsibilities with other specialties at times impede recognition and development.

Apart from these challenges, Dr Prashant Sarda is a visionary interventional radiologist in his own right. Working currently with Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Patel Nagar in Dehradun, he has more than 12 years of experience under his belt, having trained and practiced in India’s top hospitals as well as in reputed hospitals abroad. His professional expertise lies in complicated oncoradiology and vascular interventions, with the focus being on precision, compassion, and minimally invasive treatment that revolutionizes patient outcomes. “Interventional radiology is not just about treating a disease; it is about preserving quality of life with minimal disruption to the patient”, he explains, highlighting his patient-centered philosophy.

Precision in Minimally Invasive & Patient Centered Care

Dr Prashant Sarda started his medical career with his MBBS from Assam’s Dibrugarh University, and then an MD in Interventional Radiology from the same university in 2014. Motivated by an early curiosity to integrate diagnostic imaging with direct patient care, he completed fellowships in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at South Korea’s

Kyungpook National University in 2016 and special training in Trans arterial Chemoembolisation at Seoul National University Hospital in 2017. These exposures enabled him to command skill in intricate vascular procedures, liver interventions, and minimal access cancer treatment while honing a humane, patient centered style.

“Every procedure, regardless of how complex, starts with open communication. Patients have a right to know the difference between open surgery and minimally invasive procedures, and the advantage of quicker recovery and fewer complications”, he adds. He combines meticulous planning with a strong focus on patient comfort, ensuring that each intervention is performed with the highest levels of safety and precision. By leveraging advanced imaging technologies, he can visualize and target affected areas with minimal invasiveness, reducing recovery times and procedural risks. Equally important is his commitment to personalized care each treatment plan is tailored to the specific condition, health status, and needs of the patient, ensuring optimal outcomes while maintaining dignity, comfort, and a patient-centered approach throughout the procedure.

In medicine, every small intervention can mean a lifetime of difference for a patient

Teamwork, Innovation & Research

A hallmark of Dr Prashant Sarda’s practice is his commitment to collaborative care. At Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, he heads a dedicated team of fellows, consultants, nurses, and technicians, creating an environment of precision, efficiency, and learning. He collaborates with surgeons, oncologists, nephrologists, and other specialists to develop multi-disciplinary treatment plans so that patients are able to avail themselves of compounded expertise. To stay ahead of the fast pace of technological advancements, he has adopted cuttingedge tools and techniques, including state-of-the-art atherectomy devices, radio frequency and microwave tumor ablations, as well as minimally invasive stenting, with blessings and support from Chairman Shri Mahant Devendra Dass ji Maharaj and the hospital management.

His team has conducted pioneering interventions in Dehradun, ranging from venous thromboembolism to complex pediatric and liver cases. He participates in national and international research studies on such topics as calcium debulking, central venous stenosis, and pulmonary thromboembolism that continually update and sharpen his practice. His patients are not only treated by a master of the field, but they also receive the benefits of evidence-based innovations that enhance results. His work has been honored by several awards such as the ‘Young Investigator Award’ at conferences abroad and professional society awards like ‘ISVR and Indian Medical Association’.

Future Vision

Dr Prashant Sarda is dedicated to making advanced interventional radiology more accessible to the people of Uttarakhand and the entire nation. He dreams of setting up complete training programs to raise the next generation of experts and keep going on with bringing newer techniques to enhance patient care. “The future of interventional radiology is based on innovation, teamwork, and empathy. Our aim is to provide minimally invasive treatments to all patients in need”, he says. Through constant research, educating patients, and technological implementation, he keeps redefining excellence in his arena.