Hamad Medical Corporation officials during the opening ceremony of a dedicated smoking cessation clinic at Al Khor Hospital, yesterday.
Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco Control Centre yesterday opened a dedicated smoking cessation clinic at Al Khor Hospital.
The third Smoking Cessation Clinic to open outside Doha, it will operate at Al Khor Hospital on Tuesdays with plans to expand clinic hours to cope with future demands. The Al Khor Hospital Clinic joins a similar facility at Al Wakra Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital.
Available to all residents of Qatar, appointments at the new clinic can be booked through HMC’s Nesma’ak Customer Service line (16060) or by referral from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCC). Appointments can also be booked through referral from Al Khor Hospital or in person at the Al Khor Hospital reception desk.
Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla, Director of the HMC’s Tobacco Control Centre, WHO CC, said the centre’s mission is to provide health and medical advice to the public on the dangers of tobacco use in addition to behavioural support and counselling for smokers to help them kick the habit.
“Staff at the centre offer smokers alternatives to nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, and help them overcome withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation,” Dr. Al Mulla said.
“Quitting smoking improves blood circulation and glucose levels which regulates insulin, especially in diabetic patients, and reduces bad cholesterol as well as preventing many ailments and conditions. Smokers who quit this dangerous habit also regain the sense of smell and taste as well reducing bad breath.
Tobacco contains more than 45 harmful chemicals that cause cancer and this is why we advise smokers to seriously consider giving this habit up,” he said.
Mohammed Al Jusaiman, HMC’s Deputy Chief of the General Hospitals Group and Chief Executive Officer of Al Khor Hospital, said
the hospital is looking to expand its services to better serve the population within the northern region of the country.
