USISTEF 2024 Award for ICanCaRe and Photodynamic Solutions Inc.

Dr. Pawan Gupta and Dr. Jonathan Celli were honored with the USISTEF 2024 Award for AI-Enabled Oral Cancer Screening and Treatment Project

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Pawan Gupta, representing ICanCaRe (Indian partner), and Dr. Jonathan Celli from Photodynamic Solutions Inc., Boston (U.S. partner), have been honored with the prestigious USISTEF 2024 Award. This recognition was awarded under the joint call for proposals on ‘Critical and Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives’ by the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund. The project focuses on AI-enabled technology for oral cancer screening and treatment, addressing a significant healthcare challenge in India.

The award ceremony took place on October 10, 2024, at the Leela Palace, New Delhi. The Hon. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India, and the Hon. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology, presented the award. Dr. Pawan Gupta graciously accepted the award certificate on behalf of both organizations, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative fight against oral cancer.

Oral cancer poses a severe public health challenge in India, largely fueled by high rates of tobacco use, betel nut consumption, and low awareness. Compounding these issues is the lack of adequate healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, which makes early detection and treatment difficult. These obstacles make it critical to develop new solutions to overcome the barriers to effective oral cancer screening and management.

This project aims to revolutionize oral cancer detection and treatment by developing a comprehensive, portable, and low-cost solution targeting high-risk populations. The innovative technology will incorporate AI-assisted autofluorescence and white light imaging for optical pathology diagnosis, ensuring early and accurate identification of pre-malignant and malignant lesions. Treatment will be initiated with tobacco cessation and facilitated through photo-biomodulation (PBM) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for on-the-spot care of potentially pre-malignant lesions.

With this technology, ICanCaRe and Photodynamic Solutions Inc., Boston, are committed to transforming the way oral cancer is diagnosed and treated, particularly in underserved areas. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team working on this groundbreaking initiative. Together, we strive to create a future where early detection of oral cancer is accessible to all, improving patient outcomes and saving lives.

Stay tuned for more updates on this revolutionary project!

#USISTEF #AwardWinner #CancerCare #AIForHealth #ICanCaRe #MaxOncology #InnovationInHealthcare #photodynamicsolutions #photobiomodulations #pawangupta #jonathancelli

ICanCaRe at the Global Sustainability Alliance Summit SDG 5th Edition by Economic times

ICanCaRe at the GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE SUMMIT SDG 5th Edition by Economic Times

ICanCaRe, an organization dedicated to Tobacco Cessation, participated as a supporting partner for the GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE SUMMIT SDG 5th Edition. The Global Sustainability Alliance SDG Summit is dedicated to converting ideas into solutions to transform the world, adopt eco-friendly practices, and promote entrepreneurial solutions for addressing and promoting sustainable development.

ICanCaRe is committed and aligned with The Global Goals and has been working to meet Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 to ensure Good Health and well-being. The focus of ICanCaRe has been specifically 3 a – Implementation of WHO FCTC- reduce tobacco use by 30% by 2030. Within this context, ICanCaRe highlighted their efforts in educating Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) to combat tobacco use and their campaign, #advisequittobacco.

ICanCaRe creates sustainable business practices, products, and services for Tobacco Cessation and Tobacco Control in line with WHO FCTC to meet SDG 3a.Empowerment through the Education of Health Care Professionals to skill up to be Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialists to be able to provide the needed services to quit tobacco and bring down the mortality and morbidity due to tobacco and directly reduce NCDs, Tuberculosis, and Lung Health.

ICanCaRe also focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. With the program of empowering women as TOBACCO MARSHALs, ICanCaRe’s involvement underscores their dedication to addressing the critical issue of tobacco use and its impact on public health.

ICanCaRe is a change maker as we assessed the skill gap and came up with the idea of transformation of health and well-being of people exposed to / and using all forms of tobacco by providing a solution through education of HCPs in tobacco cessation. The Digital ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness app makes the business model sustainable with an ability to reach even the underserved community.

ICanCaRe is conscious of our role in SDG 8,10,11,14,15,16 and 17 which are indirectly related to health while we can positively impact SDG 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 as we work specifically with SDG No 3a and 5. We at ICanCaRe aim to take all healthcare professionals into the ambit of Tobacco Cessation through Education and reach this service to every person in the country and not leave anyone
behind.

ICanCaRe’s #advisequittobacco campaign likely emphasizes the importance of advising and supporting individuals in their journey to quit tobacco. This campaign likely includes a multi-faceted approach, such as public awareness, educational materials, counseling support, and community engagement to encourage individuals to quit tobacco consumption.

Tobacco use is a pressing global health challenge, leading to numerous health issues and premature deaths. ICanCaRe’s mission likely involves creating awareness, providing education, and implementing strategies to help individuals quit tobacco use, thereby contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Their participation at the summit demonstrates their commitment to aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world, particularly concerning public health and gender-related aspects related to tobacco use. ICanCaRe’s efforts and contributions to the cause of tobacco cessation within the context of the summit and SDG 3 and 5 are well recognized.

ICanCaRe, an organization dedicated to Tobacco Cessation, is a supporting partner for the GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE SUMMIT SDG 5th Edition. Dr. Pawan Gupta participated in the Summit.

Author – Dr. Reena R Kumar, Academic Director, ICanCaRe

#SDG #economictimes #pawangupta #globalsustainibilty #icancare #icancareacademy #icancareepharmacy #tobacco #tobaccocessation #icancareapp #advisequittobacco #savetheyouth #tobaccomarshal #reenarkumar

Meeting Dr. Umesh Gautam the Mayor of Bareilly.

What can be more exciting than meeting the most dynamic MAYOR of India! Yes,
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Umesh Gautam, who has been recognized as the
best, innovative, and dynamic Mayor of India. He has changed the city of
Bareilly. Dr. Gautam is also the CHANCELLOR of INVERTIS
University and PRESIDENT of the MISSION HOSPITAL.
Present during the meeting was also his father Mr. K. K. Gautam, retired DSP of UP, a big personality in himself. I was introduced to Dr. Umesh by him.

Bareilly is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is
known for its strategic location as a connecting town to the Himalayan
mountains and the Indo-Nepal border. Bareilly has a rich cultural heritage and
a history of trade and commerce. As the gateway to the mountains, Bareilly is a
rich business town. Dr. Umesh Gautam has brought an evident change in the
entire city since his first election as MAYOR and was given a resounding
victory for the second term. The roads, the sewerage system, water supply
speak for his dedication to the city.

SENSITIZING About ICanCaRe – SAVE the Youth Campaign – I discussed my SAVE the Youth campaign for the menace of tobacco. The harms
– First hand, Second hand, third hand, and more importantly the fourth hand.
TOBACCO IS THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENT HAZARD and the long-term harm to the soil,
water, and air is irreversible. I suggested that BAREILLY under his leadership
should be the model for a TOBACCO-free India. The meeting lasted for 2 hours,
and he grasped each and every aspect of SAVE (SENSITIZATION, ASSISTANCE,
VOLUNTEER CAPACITY BUILDING, and ENFORCEMENT) and how all aspect of society is affected and can be involved. He assured all help to ICanCaRe to promote the cause in Bareilly. 

CANCER in Bareilly – Health is another issue that he wants to do more for the people of Bareilly and also the mountain area to which Bareilly is the lifeline. He said cancer is on the rise and people are not able to get the correct treatment. There is a
need for ultramodern hospital facilities in the area.

Awareness, prevention, and Treatment are needed for the future and have to
be worked upon.

I visited the University campus and was astonished by the huge classes,
library, hostel facility, recreational and sports facilities, and the huge
auditorium with 2000 sitting arrangements. The lush green campus with green
buildings was testimony to the student and environment-friendly management.

Later, I visited the MISSION HOSPITAL and came to know that the hospital is
almost 100 years old and built on 33 acres of land in the center of the city.
It was the busiest center during the pandemic and saved many a life. It caters
to people in Bareilly and adjoining areas including the Mountain connecting
Nainital, Almora, etc.

It was a great feeling meeting and listening to Dr. Umesh Gautam. God Bless.