As part of its strategic plan to offer smoking cessation services across Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco Control Center, officially designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre, opened a new dedicated smoking cessation clinic at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH).
Present at the opening ceremony were Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, head of HMC’s Tobacco Control Center; Hussein al-Ishaq, executive director of HMGH; and Dr Ahmed Ali al-Mohamed, medical director of HMGH. The opening of the new clinic at HMGH marks a key milestone for the centre in its expansion journey, following the opening of a clinic at Al Wakra Hospital last year.
The new clinic will operate currently on Mondays, with plans to expand clinic hours to cope with future demands as needed. Available to all citizens and residents of Qatar, appointments at the new clinic can be booked by calling 40240708 or by referral from HMC physicians or Primary Health Care Corporation. The new clinic will provide consultations by specialist physicians and nursing staff who have been trained to deliver smoking cessation services. The clinic will offer various kinds of smoking cessation treatments as needed.
Dr al-Mulla explained that the opening of the new clinic at HMGH represents an important addition to the Tobacco Control Center’s services targeting residents in the rapidly growing Industrial Area and the surrounding communities. “The new clinic will support the Center’s mission to raise public awareness on the dangers of tobacco use, in addition, to providing health and medical advice, as well as behavioural support and counselling for smokers to help them quit the habit,” said Dr al-Mulla.
The Tobacco Control Center appeals to the citizens and residents, who live in the Industrial Area or near Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, and wish to quit smoking, to book an appointment with the clinic and make use of its services.