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

The meeting held on 24 August included smoking cessation services and related treatments.

The discussion involved experts from WHO in Geneva and the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 

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

 Over 70 participants attended the meeting, with the list of speakers including Dr. Asmus Hammerich, Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health and Dr. Fatimah El Awa, Regional Adviser for the Tobacco Free Initiative. Dr. Heba Fouad, Regional Surveillance Officer, Dr. Dongbo Fu, Medical Officer for Tobacco Cessation at WHO in Geneva, and Dr. Feras Al Hawari, Chief, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Director, Cancer Control Office at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan were also in attendance.   

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, HMC’s Tobacco Control Center has continued to provide consultations and support, including medications and psychological support for tobacco-dependent patients through telephone-based consultations.  

The Center recently celebrated its third anniversary of being a WHO Collaborating Centre. In 2017, HMC's Tobacco Control Center was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre, the first in Qatar and the region.

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Source: HMC

Cover Image Credit: The Peninsula