The Tobacco Control Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), a designated WHO Collaborating Centre, recently participated in a virtual meeting organised by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The meeting discussed smoking cessation services and related treatments and involved experts from WHO in Geneva and the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Dr Ahmad Al Mulla, Head of the HMC Tobacco Control Center, presented a scientific paper, which discussed the country’s experience in providing treatment for smokers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 70 participants attended the meeting.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the HMC Tobacco Control Center has been providing consultations and support, including medications and psychological support for tobacco-dependent patients via telephone-based consultations. The centre recently celebrated its third anniversary as a WHO Collaborating Centre.

The HMC Tobacco Control Center was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre in 2017, the first in Qatar and the region. WHO Collaborating Centres, which also includes research institutes and parts of universities and academies, are designated to carry out activities in support of WHO’s mandated international health agenda.

For updates and more information, visit hamad.qa