500 doctors receive training to help smokers kick the butt

Abu Dhabi - The number of people who visited the Smoking Cessation Clinics in 2018 has risen by 47 per cent compared to 2016.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has started a six-week training programme to enhance the skills of 500 doctors to serve at the smoking cessation clinics inside primary healthcare centres. This is among the many steps initiated by the UAE Government over the years to reduce the use of tobacco products.
As a result of the measures, including stricter tobacco control laws and regulations, health awareness campaigns and opening of more smoking cessation clinics, there was a 18 per cent drop in the rate of smoking among adults, the ministry said in a statement attributing the National Health Survey 2017-2018. There were over 8,200 adults from 10,000 households from across the UAE who participated in the survey. And a repeat survey is planned for 2022-2023.
It showed that the percentage of smokers over the age of 18 years has gone as low as 9.1 per cent from 11.1 per cent in 2010. Out of the total respondents, 84 per cent were non-Emiratis.
Out of 747 respondents who consumed tobacco, 528 smoked cigarettes, 69 shisha, 51 medwakh, 27 e-cigarettes and six people used cigars.
The number of people who visited the Smoking Cessation Clinics in 2018 has risen by 47 per cent compared to 2016. The number of people who quit tobacco products in 2018 has increased by 122 per cent compared to 2016. This year's data is expected to the released in next few months and ministry officials are hopeful that the number of quitters will be significantly high, especially with opening of 16 clinics in the country. All of this will help the country achieve its agenda of Sustainability Development Goals 2030.
The doctors' training programme is one step in that direction.
Dr Hussein Abdel Rahman Al Rand, under-secretary of the ministry's Health Assistant Sector, Health Centres and Clinics, said: "The training programme to develop doctors' skills in helping those willing to quit smoking comes as part of Mohap's constant endeavours, alongside its relevant partners, to reduce the rate of smokers in the country, based on successful international experiences."
"Smoking has hazardous fallouts such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and mental illnesses, in addition to the economic burden whether through increased expenses on healthcare, or indirect costs represented in the low productivity of society due to rates of premature death and the prevalence of diseases," Al Rand added.
Dr Haifa Faris, deputy director of the Primary Healthcare Department, noted that Emirati doctors have prepared the material for the training programme, which will include all doctors with various specialties.
"The six-week programme will be based on Maharati healthcare e-training system, including practical sessions and an evaluation of the trainees by specialised trainers, in order to obtain a certificate qualifying them to provide smoking cessation services."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi