Odisha’s BPUT Student Launches AI Startup to Expand Menstrual Healthcare Access in Rural India
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The startup has developed a healthcare platform powered by AI, ML, deep learning and LLMs to create an inclusive menstrual health ecosystem for women living in underserved regions.
Odisha’s Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) student and two researchers have launched an AI-powered digital health platform, Masika Care, designed to improve menstrual healthcare access for women in rural India.
The deep-tech healthcare startup has been founded by Vishma Pasayat, a third-year BTech student at BPUT, alongside co-founders Amrita Saini, a PhD scholar at the university, and Tapaswini Padhi, who holds a PhD from NIT Rourkela.
The startup has developed a healthcare platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning and large language models (LLMs) to create an inclusive menstrual health ecosystem for women living in underserved regions.
The platform has been designed to function through mobile phones as well as assisted offline services, allowing women in areas with poor or no internet connectivity to access health information and professional guidance.
Recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the platform aims to provide women with a safe and judgement-free environment to better understand menstrual and reproductive health while connecting them with healthcare professionals when needed.
"Artificial intelligence should not just make technology smarter; it should make healthcare more accessible, compassionate and inclusive. Every woman deserves the confidence to speak about her health without fear or stigma," Pasayat said, adding that a patent application has been filed for the startup's proprietary ML architecture, covering its system design and technical innovations.
The idea for Masika Care emerged from Pasayat's personal experience after his mother developed a serious gynaecological condition nearly two years ago. Witnessing overcrowded hospitals, long waiting periods and the challenges women face while seeking care highlighted the need for earlier intervention and greater menstrual health awareness.
Those experiences motivated him to explore how AI and digital health technologies could help bridge existing healthcare gaps.
The startup has also received academic support from BPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Amiya Kumar Rath and Director Prof Sivakumar as it continues to develop AI-enabled healthcare solutions aimed at improving menstrual health outcomes across rural India.
Masika Care was officially launched at Loisingha in Odisha's Balangir district by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling.
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