The new Tobacco Control Center under Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) has introduced two innovative treatment methods to help smokers quit the habit, a senior official told Gulf Times.
“While we have started using the spirometer, the laser therapy treatment is to be launched next month,” disclosed Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, head of the HMC Tobacco Control Center.
The laser therapy treatment to control tobacco use is being introduced for the first time in Qatar. It is a complementary alternative medicine.
The laser will reach about 25 points in the body. It will touch the veins and help the smoker reduce the instinct to smoke.
"We have got the machine and everything is set for the treatment launch from next month,” explained Dr al-Mulla.



The new Tobacco Control Center at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.

The spirometer helps in understanding the age of the lung as well as its capacity.
This will enable the patients to know the condition of their lungs and take adequate measures to overcome smoking.
Spirometer is an apparatus for measuring the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.
A spirometer measures ventilation, the movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Dr al-Mulla said the new centre – located at building No 311 at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City - will be able to treat about 30 patients a day.
“We are increasing our capacity. We will have more physicians, counsellors and health educators. Once we are fully operational, we aim to treat about 30 patients a day and will be operational five days a week,” noted the official.
“Now we have a bigger facility with four examination rooms and once we are able to get more staff, we will be able to expand the services. This will help us in reducing the waiting period as we have about 500 patients in waiting,” he said.
According to Dr al-Mulla, the anti-smoking facility has been in place for the last 17 years. “The new Tobacco Control Center is the continuation of the work. We started as a small unit and finally we have got the new facility, which is a big expansion for us.”
The official also felt that the anti-smoking awareness programmes are helping people either quit smoking or refrain from starting the practice.
“We organise a number of outreach programmes to raise awareness among the community members. We conduct the programmes in schools, colleges as well as at public places,” added Dr al-Mulla.
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