The Naufar Centre and the Tobacco Control Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation, a WHO Collaborating Centre, signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday.
Naufar is a sanctuary for wellness and treatment of substance use and related behavioural disorders. The MoU focuses on assisting Naufar in supporting smokers in their facility by exchanging scientific activities, collaborating on research, and providing training for medical staff on the latest methods for treating tobacco use.
The MoU was signed by Dr Ahmed al-Mulla, director of the Tobacco Control Centre and Dr Khalifa al-Kuwari, assistant director general of Naufar Centre.
Dr al-Mulla stated there is a complicated relationship between smoking and substance use, in which smoking, especially among young people, could be the gateway to substance use because of the increase in the addictive receivers of the brain caused by smoking. He also noted that continued smoking in some of the individuals with substance use disorder, may weaken their chances of treatment.
Dr al-Kuwari emphasised the importance of signing the agreement to provide the patients with full support and enhance the chances for those struggling with addiction to recover using the best treatment methods according to international standards.
Dr al-Mulla expressed the centre's readiness to establish such activities with any other governmental or non-governmental establishments.