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.
