Seema dental College and hospital Rishikesh – Innovative Cancer Care and Rehabilitation

SEEMA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Rishikesh takes a historical step to establish a CENTRE of EXCELLENCE – for CAPACITY BUILDING FOR TOBACCO CESSATION SPECIALISTS on 21st January 2023.

An MOU was signed between ICanCaRe and Seema Dental College and Hospital to train dental practitioners doctors, counselors, psychologists, and social workers for tobacco control and cessation.

ICanCaRe Academy as part of the Save the youth campaign and expertise in tobacco Cessation would help SEEMA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Rishikesh for

CAPACITY BUILDING – UTTARAKHAND TOBACCO CESSATION/CONTROL TRAINING CENTRE

With three levels of courses –

Certified Tobacco cessation Specialist (TOBACCO CESSATION SPECIALISTS
Orientation Course in tobacco Cessation (TOBACCO AMBASSADORS)
Basic Course in Tobacco Control – (TOBACCO MARSHAL)

The Courses are Accredited by Gujarat University with the aim of ENHANCE, EMPOWER, and EARN

Establish UPGRADED TOBACCO CESSATION CENTREs: for Digitalised Protocol based intervention.

Tobacco Cessation is the most complex of all diseases and needs proper training for healthcare professionals. The participants of the programs would be given evidence-based training for successful quitting in tobacco clinics. Additionally, it will work to upgrade the skills of counselors and health professionals engaged in tobacco cessation currently.

For effective Tobacco Control in each state, there is a need to involve people from all spears of society to work as influencers. In view of this TOBACCO MARSHAL training is introduced for teachers, social workers, Human resources, security, police department, and others

The program contributes to the National Tobacco Control program, while it creates opportunities for dental students for self-employment and also public or private services.

The participants in the program will be trained in tobacco cessation and oral cancer screening.

The MOU was signed by Dr. Himanshu Aeran, Principal of Seema Dental College and Hospital, and Dr. Pawan Gupta founder of ICanCaRe, in presence of Dr. Archana Ojha, Officer-in-charge of NTCP-NHM of Uttarakhand, and Dr. Amit Gupta Chairman, Seema Dental College and Hospital, Rishikesh. Present during the inauguration were Mr. Awdesh Kumar of Balaji Seva Sansthan and Taranjit Singh of Ganga Prem Hospice, Dr. Pravesh Singh, the first Teacher Tobacco Marshal in India and Chairman of Ek Prayas at KIET Institute.

Dr. Jyotsna Seth conducted the inauguration and felicitation ceremony. Orientation Course in Tobacco Cessation Certificate holders from Seema Dental College was also felicitated.

Dr. Himanshu Aeran, under whose initiative the center of Excellence for Training for Tobacco Cessation could happen was very much happy about the joint venture and hoped that this would be a great step toward making Uttarakhand Tobacco free. He called for the upgradation of knowledge as means of improving outcomes.

Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. Director of Surgical Oncology at MAX and Founder ICanCaRe stressed on the need for capacity building for tobacco cessation as a means of tobacco control, the quit rate can be improved with a scientific approach and regular review to keep improving the process. The ABCD intervention model by ICanCaRe has shown great improvement in the quit rate. Setting up the Centre for Excellence for Training for Tobacco Cessation and regular research to improve the quit rate is a big step for Uttarakhand. The need for Tobacco MARSHAL in society and teachers as Tobacco marshals in schools influencers will have a great impact to curb tobacco use and initiation. This is the essence of the SAVE the youth program by ICanCaRe and I CAN WIN FOUNDATION.

Dr. Archana Ojha, it is really good for Uttarakhand to have such a center for excellence. It opens up opportunities especially for dental students to learn and earn from the training. Proper standardized and scalable approaches for tobacco cessation will have a great impact on tobacco control. The poor quit rate has to improve, and it is possible when continued assessment and review with the intention to improve the same is done. She would extend all her support needed for the center.

Mr. Awdesh who is leading the campaign to make Uttarakhand Tobacco Free was also very happy that now there will be a place for skill development of the doctors, and also social workers as Tobacco MARSHALS.

Dr. Archana took a keen interest in understanding the methodology being adopted at the center to improve the quit rate.

The meeting was followed by training the first batch of Tobacco MARSHALs of Uttarakhand.

For the first time in Uttarakhand, TOBACCO MARSHAL training program was conducted at the Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Cessation Training at the Seema Dental College and Hospital, Rishikesh.

31 Selected faculties and students from various departments were empowered as TOBACCO MARSHALs.

The vision of Director Principal Dr. Himanshu Aeran was ably promoted by Prof. Dr. Jyotsna Seth and Prof. Dr Avinish. The much-needed empowered tobacco MARSHAL are being created to make the future of student secure and respectable.

Prof. Dr. Pravesh Singh – The first Teacher TOBACCO MARSHAL of India initiated the training program and put forth how she has been able to change her own life and showcased multiple activities at KIET by establishing the Club – Ek Prayas at the campus.

Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. Director Surgical Oncology at MAX and Founder ICanCaRe conducted the training.

Mr. Ramesh K Singh shared his experience with the candidates.

4 hours of intensive discussion covered the 8R aspects of Tobacco and empowered each of the participants as TOBACCO MARSHALs. Each participant were very much enthusiastic and took part in discussion how to handle a person who is taking tobacco- the conversation that needs to follow with the person to engage and guide them towards making him/her tobacco-free.

Tobacco MARSHALS – they have a major role as influencers and are essential for tobacco control

§ SAVE youth initiation (BE SMART DO NOT START)
§ Encourage cessation (WIN OVER TOBACCO IS EASY)
§ Increase negative attitudes toward tobacco use (BE CAREFUL AND FEARFUL)
§ Chota Dhana – Identify early lesions of the Oral Cavity
§ Induct more people to support the cause (CAPACITY BUILDING)
§ Increase support for policy change (CREATE TOBACCO-FREE ZONES)

Tobacco MARSHAL is a prestige and a recognition of personal social responsibility against the most dreaded disease in the WORLD.

With the presence of TOBACCO MARSHAL on the campus, it is going to be a major ripple effect at campus and outside the campus. As a responsibility each tobacco MARSHAL will influence what is easy within their limits and keep increasing the circle of influence at home, campus, with their patients and more. Once every month on a particular day as a routine, all the tobacco MARSHALs will put on the cap and badge and attempt to influence the people in the campus and in the society.

Putting on the badge while going out to parties etc will also create an awareness amongst the large number of people.

All the participants were very happy and proud to be the TOBACCO MARSHAL!

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