Dr. Pawan Gupta, Director of Surgical Oncology HN, MAX Institute of Cancer Care – EZ and Founder of ICanCaRe was invited faulty at the 2nd National Consultation for Smokeless Tobacco held at India International Centre, New Delhi from 21st to 23rd February 2023.
It is an honour to be invited to deliver a talk at the august gathering of stalwarts who are at the helm of changing the scenario for Smokeless Tobacco.
The Consultation is conducted by NICPR, MOHFW with The UNION with SEEDS as partner.
Dr. Pawan Gupta being a clinician presented his experience as the changing force for SLT management in clinics. His practical experience with the SLT patients presenting with oral lesions is common. “GROUND REALITIES FOR SLT” Chair of the session were Dr. Suneela Garg and Dr. Preeti Kumar.
Dr. Pawan Gupta emphasized that Tobacco Cessation in India is different and the western methodology cannot be just copied for our Indian patients. The Indians have different sorts of problems and each problem needs to be addressed independently. Tobacco cessation is now available, feasible, and effective. ICanCaRe has evolved the methodology over a period of time and simplified it by laying down some simple protocols – put as ABCD of Tobacco Cessation. A standard intervention but customized for the individual as per digital protocol on the ICanCaRe app (http://app.icancare.in) has borne results.
The simplified protocol needs to be amplified with the involvement of everyone across society. People need specialists who can successfully treat this complex disease of Tobacco Addiction. ICanCaRe academy trains people at three different levels to get involved in tobacco control – TOBACCO MARSHAL, TOBACCO AMBASSADORS, and TOBACCO INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS (www.icancare.in/academy). The course has been accredited by Gujarat University and is an intensive practical course to introduce standardized intervention for tobacco cessation across India. We need to have effective tobacco cessation clinics across India manned by a trained and skilled specialists, visibly present and networked with other specialists to benefit their patients.
Dr Pawan Gupta also showcased the TRISCaRe for trismus care the Innovative mouth opener device needed for the SLT and Areca nut users who have Submucous Fibrosis.
First ever private Quitline number – 011-43077695 and also multilinguistic virtual clinic with E-Pharmacy for tobacco is unique to ICanCaRe. Resource books – Tobacco Cessation – a Comprehensive Guidelines, Win over Tobacco – made Easy, Be Smart Do not Start, Making an Institute Tobacco Free – Guidelines and Campaigns – #SAVEtheYouth, #ChotaDaana, #Knowtobacco #tobaccomarshal are unique intervention that may be widely adopted.
Scholarship for the OCTC has been made available of limited seats with the funding received from Bajaj Electricals Foundation through I CAN WIN FOUNDATION.
The ICanCaRe campaign #ADVISEQUITTOBACCO is to promote to all the HCPs so that they are inclusive in the tobacco cessation program.
Co-participants for the panel included Dr. Vikrant Mohanty, Dr. Shalini Gupta, Mrs. Mira Aghi, and Dr J.S.Rana.
Tobacco is a public problem and it is important that everyone gets involved and stand strong to subdue the Tobacco Industry.
#SLT #SMOKELESSTOBACCO #NICPR #pawangupta #ICanCaRe #ICanCaReacademy #tobaccomarshal
