Aarogya Seva and MIT Hacking Medicine Unite Global Innovators to Revolutionize Health Technology

Bangalore, 31 May 2023:  – Aarogya Seva, in collaboration with MIT Hacking Medicine, successfully organized a three-day hackathon from May 26th to May 28th in Bangalore. The event brought together engineers, doctors, and researchers from all around India and Nepal, creating a vibrant and diverse community of healthcare enthusiasts dedicated to revolutionizing the field of health technology. The hackathon kicked off with an insightful introduction session and team formation on the first day. Participants were excited to learn that the theme for this hackathon was “Shaping the Future of Tech4Health.” With this inspiring theme in mind, teams immediately began brainstorming innovative ideas to tackle various healthcare challenges.

On the second day, the event relocated to the prestigious IKP Eden, where participants had the privilege of being guided by experienced mentors. This guidance proved invaluable as teams worked diligently to refine their ideas and prepare impactful presentations. The mentors’ expertise and guidance helped shape the teams’ unique ideas, pushing them towards realizing their full potential.

The third and final day of the hackathon was a culmination of the participants’ hard work and dedication. An eminent jury, comprising distinguished experts in the field, presided over the event and judged the teams’ ideas and innovations. Each team had only three minutes to present their ideas, making it an exhilarating and intense experience. The pitches showcased a remarkable array of concepts, including AI-powered mobile applications, thermochromic socks, transdermal patches, AI-powered analysis tools, a diabetic clothing brand, awareness campaigns, and specially designed insoles. The winning team, selected by the esteemed jury, will receive a prestigious prize at the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, further recognizing their innovative contributions to the field of health technology.

In addition to the main event, a stimulating panel discussion took place on the third day. The topic was “Shaping the Future of Tech4Health,” and distinguished experts engaged in a thought-provoking conversation. Panelists included Dr. A G Kulkarni, Prof. and HOD of Community Medicine, East Point College of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Mr. Pradeep Bapat, Co-founder, Quantascend Consulting global pvt ltd., Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO — Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI, and Dr. Sumit Sen, Chief Executive (GISE Hub), IIT Bombay. The discussions explored topics such as opportunities in the healthcare technology sector, ethical implications of emerging technologies, the role of AI/ML in healthcare, equitable distribution of technology, and the balance between social impact and pursuing a lucrative career.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Dayaprasad Kulkarni, Founder of Aarogya Seva and lead organizer of the event, expressed his delight at the success of the initiative, stating, “This hackathon showcased the immense potential of technology in shaping the future of healthcare. The innovative solutions presented here have the power to transform lives and improve the quality of healthcare for all.“

The event concluded with a closing keynote by Raghu Dharmaraju, President of ARTPARK, who highlighted the significance of collaboration and innovation in driving positive change in healthcare

The winning teams demonstrated outstanding creativity, technical prowess, and a deep understanding of healthcare challenges. Here are the top three winning teams and their solutions:

First Position: Team PodoCare

Team Members: Zainab, Anubhab, Dr. Udyangshu Saha

Solution: PodoCare – changing lives with a splash of colour

PodoCare is an innovative solution designed for early intervention of diabetic foot ulcers in chronic diabetes patients. It includes Colour Indicator Socks, Colour Indicator Bandages, and a dedicated monitoring application. The Colour Indicator Socks change color based on excessive pressure or temperature changes on the foot, enabling early identification of potential issues. The Colour Indicator Bandages change color in response to infection, assisting healthcare professionals in determining the infection status and the need for treatment. The PodoCare App facilitates real-time patient monitoring, enabling remote tracking of foot health and helping healthcare professionals decide the appropriate time for intervention.

Second Position: Team Diabetic Footcare Solution

Team Members: Dr. Jyothsna, Nikhil, Abey

Solution: Advanced AI-Powered Mobile Application for Diabetic Foot Care

This groundbreaking solution is a cross-platform mobile application that leverages deep learning and generative AI to classify the stages of diabetic foot ulcers. The app provides personalized treatment plans and tools for patients to heal at home. Its unique feature lies in its ability to record patient data and provide easy access to patient history, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of each patient’s condition. The app also promotes data-driven behavior change among patients, encouraging proactive management of their health.

Third Position: Team DiaQR

Team Members: Karan Jhaveri, Murugesapandian, Dr. Trisha Sharma, Manpreet Kaur, Mussawwir Khan

Solution: DiaQR – Revolutionizing Diabetic Foot Care

DiaQR developed an AI-based customized care companion, DiaCare, with ABHA ID integration, IVR-tracking, and customized care pathways. The DiaKit includes an advanced DiaPen, an activity kit, care guidebooks, and emergency contact information. This solution empowers healthcare providers with an additional diagnostic tool and helps increase their reach to serve more patients. The DiaQR team aims to save limbs from amputation by promoting proper awareness and management of diabetic foot ulcers.

This hackathon, organized by Aarogya Seva and MIT Hacking Medicine, showcased the immense potential of technology in shaping the future of healthcare. The event was held in collaboration with the following brand partners : Govt of Karnataka, BBMP, IKP EDEN, FOOTSECURE, Muse Diagnostics, Qbotica, Quantascend, Swissnex, 10000 startups, Remidio, Dataleads, Artpark, Betic, Kathmandu University, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay- SJ School of Management, Rishihood University and MIT-WPU. By bringing together professionals from various disciplines, the event facilitated meaningful collaborations and sparked the creation of transformative solutions.