The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco Control Center for its work in helping people quit smoking and spreading awareness about the dangers of tobacco.

WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control every year.

This recognition takes the form of the WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.

The HMC Tobacco Control Center, a WHO Collaborating Center, has was one of the awarded organizations from the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Hamad Medical Corporation’s Tobacco Control Center, has been honored by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its work in helping people to quit smoking and spreading awareness about the dangers of tobacco. pic.twitter.com/WkKmdYy7fe

— مؤسسة حمد الطبية (@HMC_Qatar) June 5, 2021

Back in 2017, HMC’s Tobacco Control Center was the first WHO Collaborating Center in Qatar and the region.

WHO Collaborating Centre, which also includes research institutes and parts of universities and academies, is designated to carry out activities in support of the WHO’s mandated international health agenda.

Head of the Tobacco Control Center, Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla, received the Recognition Award presented to the Center in the presence of the Chief Medical Officer at HMC, Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, the Chief Communication Officer at HMC, Mr. Ali Abdulla Al Khater, the Chairman of Internal Medicine at HMC, Dr. Abdul Badi Abou Samra, and Dr. Ahmed Al Mohammed, Chairman of HMC's Intensive Care Units and Medical Director of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital.

New dedicated smoking cessation clinics have been opened over the last two years at Al Wakra Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, enabling the team to reach even more patients.

According to Dr. Al Mulla, the Center continued to treat and support people who wanted to quit smoking throughout the pandemic.

The Center and its team also run regular training and educational events for healthcare staff in Qatar and the region as well as community outreach programs.

Dr. Al Mulla thanked the Minister for Public Health Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari for her continued support for the center’s activities and programs.

“With this kind of high-level support, we are able to make a real difference to the lives of our patients. Tobacco use is one of the most pressing health risks in Qatar and we need to continue our collaborative efforts to educate and help the public quit tobacco,” he added.

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Cover Image Credit, Inline Image Credit & Source: HMC