Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari officially inaugurated the new Tobacco Control Centre of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) this week.
Speaking on the significance of the new centre, Dr Al Kuwari highlighted the important role that the newly opened Tobacco Control Centre will play in the fight against the increasing level of smoking in the community and the harmful effects of long-term smoking.
Nothing is more important in the prevention of several cancers and more than 50 other diseases than eliminating the use of tobacco products. The new HMC Tobacco Control Centre reinforces our commitment to implement effective and long-lasting strategies for reducing tobacco use and providing accessible treatment options for people who want to stop smoking. This is especially important in Qatar, where we are seeing more young people smoking and using tobacco products.’
The HMC Tobacco Control Centre has moved to a new location within Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City (Building 311). The transfer will help increase capacity and cater to a wider audience in the country through the provision of education, support, and treatment for those wanting to stop smoking. The centre sees around 1,200 new patients each year, with each attending around six follow-up appointments.
The centre has been officially designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is the first WHO Collaborating Centre in Qatar and the GCC. WHO Collaborating Centres, which also include research institutes and parts of universities and academies, are designated to carry out activities in support of WHO’s mandated international health work.
The HMC Tobacco Control Centre’s expanded services include training for clinicians, according to its Head, Dr Ahmad Al Mulla.
This ensures the best quality care and healthcare management for smoking cessation in Qatar through the appropriate treatment as well as health awareness campaigns and messaging and scientific evidence-based research. The new location also houses newly introduced innovative clinical services such as laser therapy to help people stop smoking – the first of its kind in Qatar.’
Dr Al Mulla added that smoking has been shown to harm nearly every organ of the body, and that most adult smokers start smoking during adolescence.
Around 37% of the country’s population 15 years old and above said they currently smoke tobacco. It is therefore important that we redouble our efforts to reduce levels of smoking in the community.’
For more information about the new HMC Tobacco Control Centre, visit hamad.qa.
