The BuILD Summit 2025, South India’s first dedicated medical summit focused exclusively on Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD), concluded with resounding success this weekend at Vivanta by Taj, Kochi. Held on May 24 and 25, the landmark event brought together more than 100 healthcare professionals, clinicians, and researchers from across India and abroad, marking a transformative moment in India’s journey toward better ILD care.
Spearheaded by Dr. Asmita Mehta, Professor and Head of Respiratory Medicine at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, the summit created a vibrant academic platform that emphasized multidisciplinary collaboration in ILD diagnosis and management. Through engaging discussions involving pulmonologists, radiologists, rheumatologists, and pathologists, the event reinforced the importance of integrated decision-making in tackling these complex lung disorders.
A major highlight of the summit was the formal launch of India’s first ILD Fellowship Program, aimed at training the next generation of pulmonologists in evidence-based, patient-centric ILD care. The initiative is expected to address the growing need for specialized expertise and structured academic training in this emerging field.
Adding to the academic richness of the event was the release of “ILD MDM – 100 Cases: Conversations, Conclusions, and Chronicles”—a pioneering book that captures real-world dilemmas, diagnostic insights, and treatment pathways discussed in multidisciplinary ILD meetings from across the country. The publication has been praised for its practical relevance and for serving as a valuable resource for practicing clinicians.
The summit featured keynote sessions and panel discussions by globally renowned faculty, including Prof. Athol Wells (Royal Brompton Hospital & Imperial College London), Prof. Claudia Ravaglia (Italy), Dr. Amila Rathnapala (Sri Lanka), Dr. Deepak Talwar, and Dr. Sujeet Rajan. Their contributions enriched the scientific discourse and provided attendees with insights into the latest advancements in ILD care.
Participants widely appreciated the summit’s academic depth, organizational excellence, and its commitment to fostering collaboration. With its successful inaugural edition, the BuILD Summit has firmly established itself as a benchmark academic event in ILD, with plans already underway for future editions that will continue to advance pulmonary healthcare in India. It is particularly heartening to note that the state of Kerala, under the leadership of Dr. Asmita Mehta, has taken the lead in addressing ILD—a complex, progressive, and largely incurable disease—by building structured pathways for early diagnosis, collaborative care, and specialist training. This initiative marks a crucial step toward improving the quality of life for ILD patients across the country.
