Biography of Sayantani Pramanik: Founder of Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions
Biography of Sayantani Pramanik:
Vision for Change
In India, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of
death among women, despite being preventable. Anirban Palit, a man deeply
impacted by the loss of his housemaid to this disease, realized the urgent need
for better early detection methods. His housemaid, a young woman with two
children, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in its late stages. By the time
she sought medical help, it was too late. This tragic event inspired Anirban to
take action, aiming to bring innovative and cost-effective healthcare solutions
to India, especially for women in rural and underprivileged areas.
The Spark of Innovation
In 2019, Anirban decided to quit his job in the
pharmaceutical industry to focus on addressing the healthcare challenges he had
witnessed. He co-founded Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions with his wife, Dr.
Sayantani Pramanik, a Ph.D. holder in biochemistry, their childhood friend
Palna Patel, a lawyer, and Dr. Bhagirath Modi, an experienced gynecologist.
Their mission was clear: to make cervical cancer screening accessible to all
women, particularly in underserved areas where healthcare resources are limited.
The Struggle with Current Healthcare Systems
Despite the availability of preventive screening methods
like the Pap Smear test, many women avoid getting tested due to time-consuming
and uncomfortable procedures. Sayantani herself had an unpleasant experience
during her annual health checkup. She had to wait for over an hour, enduring
embarrassing questions about her personal life, which added to the stress of
the test. Such experiences discourage women from undergoing regular screenings,
and as a result, cervical cancer often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late.
Biography of Sayantani Pramanik: Founder of Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions/cervical cancer/shark tank/age/net worth/investor/startup/Pragmatech Healt
The Problem with Rural Screening
Cervical cancer is particularly problematic in rural areas,
where screening methods like Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) are
commonly used. However, VIA tests often lack reliability, and many women are
unwilling to take time off work for these screenings, which leads to delayed
diagnoses. In many cases, women in rural areas ignore early symptoms such as
irregular bleeding and back pain, only seeking help when the cancer has
progressed to more advanced stages.
A Focus on Women's Health
Pragmatech’s goal is to empower women by making cervical
cancer screening more accessible, affordable, and private. The company’s first
product, the CERVICHECK self-sampling kit, allows women to collect cervical
samples in the comfort of their homes, without the need to visit a clinic. This
self-sampling method gives women more control over their health, reducing the
embarrassment and inconvenience often associated with traditional screenings.
The kit also meets regulatory standards set by India’s Central Drugs Standard
Control Organization (CDSCO), ensuring its safety and effectiveness.
An Affordable Solution
The CERVICHECK self-sampling kit is priced at just Rs 500,
making it much more affordable compared to traditional screening methods that
can cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. This low-cost solution has the
potential to reach a wide audience, particularly in rural and economically
disadvantaged areas where the cost of healthcare is a significant barrier to
regular screenings. By reducing the cost of testing, Pragmatech hopes to make
cervical cancer screening accessible to a much larger number of women.
The Power of Early Detection
Cervical cancer typically develops over a span of 15 to 20
years, giving women a long window of opportunity for early detection and
treatment. However, this window is often missed in India due to the low
adoption of regular screening. Symptoms such as heavy bleeding, fatigue, and
back pain are often ignored until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.
Pragmatech aims to bridge this gap by providing a simple, accessible test that
can detect cervical cancer at an early, treatable stage.
A Groundbreaking Approach to Women's Health
While there are various diagnostic methods for cervical
cancer, many of them are not widely accessible, especially in rural or
underserved regions. Pragmatech's solution involves two key products: the
self-sampling kit and a point-of-care test kit. The self-sampling kit is
designed for women in urban areas who can use it at home, while the
point-of-care test kit will be used at health camps, doctor’s clinics, or even
at home, allowing women to get results quickly and privately. This approach
addresses the logistical and social challenges that many women face when
accessing healthcare services.
The Role of the Team Behind Pragmatech
At the heart of Pragmatech is a team with diverse expertise,
all united by a passion for improving women's health. Sayantani’s background in
biochemistry, combined with Anirban’s experience in the pharmaceutical and
diagnostics industries, has helped them create a product that addresses both
the scientific and practical aspects of healthcare. Their team also includes
Palna, whose experience in social work has given her insight into the
challenges faced by women in rural areas, and Dr. Modi, whose decades of
experience as a gynecologist ensures that the products are both effective and
medically sound.
Empowering Women, One Test at a Time
Pragmatech’s products aim to empower women by giving them
the tools to take charge of their health. The self-sampling kit, in particular,
provides privacy and convenience, two factors that are often overlooked in
traditional healthcare settings. By allowing women to collect samples in the
comfort of their own homes, the company hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding
cervical cancer screening and encourage more women to take preventative
measures. This empowerment is a crucial step towards improving women’s health
outcomes in India.
The Need for Greater Awareness
One of the main challenges Pragmatech faces is raising
awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of regular screenings. Many
women are unaware of the risks and early symptoms of cervical cancer, and the
stigma surrounding reproductive health often prevents them from seeking help.
Pragmatech is working to address these issues by educating women about the
importance of early detection and making the process of screening as
comfortable and accessible as possible.
Support from the Shark Tank India Deal
Pragmatech’s innovative approach to healthcare caught the
attention of investors, leading to a successful deal on Shark Tank India. The
company raised ₹75 lakh for a 5% equity stake, with Namita Thapar, one of the
investors, expressing confidence in the potential of their product. This
investment will help Pragmatech expand its reach, improve its products, and
continue its mission to save lives by making cervical cancer screening more
accessible to women across India.
The Road Ahead
With a strong team, a groundbreaking product, and the
backing of investors, Pragmatech is poised to make a significant impact on
women’s health in India. The company’s focus on innovation, affordability, and
accessibility ensures that it will continue to address the unique challenges
faced by women in rural and urban areas alike. By empowering women to take
control of their health, Pragmatech hopes to reduce the incidence of cervical
cancer and save countless lives in the process.
A timeline for the story of Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions:
2018: Anirban Palit loses his housemaid to cervical cancer,
motivating him to address the issue of late detection.
2019: Anirban quits his job and co-founds Pragmatech
Healthcare Solutions with his wife, Dr. Sayantani Pramanik, and others.
2020: Pragmatech develops the CERVICHECK self-sampling kit
to make cervical cancer screening more accessible and affordable.
2021: The CERVICHECK self-sampling kit is priced at Rs 500,
aiming to provide an affordable solution for women in rural and underserved
areas.
2022: Pragmatech faces challenges in raising awareness about
cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.
2023: Pragmatech secures ₹75 lakh funding from Shark Tank
India for a 5% equity stake to expand its mission.
