The Department of Wellness Programmes at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has organised a tobacco cessation training workshop with 76 attendees, including physicians, pharmacists, health and wellness educators.
The exercise, in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Training and Development, aimed to equip healthcare providers with the latest knowledge and practical skills to address emerging patterns of tobacco use, including electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.
The sessions covered key topics such as pharmacological treatment for tobacco addiction, motivational interviewing, psychological considerations, weight management after quitting, and modern techniques like laser therapy.
“The PHCC places great importance on prevention and health promotion,” said Wellness Programmes director Dr Wadha al-Baker.
“In recent years, we have observed changes in tobacco use patterns and the emergence of new products such as electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products,” said Dr Hissa al-Muraikhi, the head of the Wellness for Clinical Interventions. “This requires us, as healthcare professionals, to continuously update our knowledge.”
The workshop featured experts from the PHCC, Hamad Medical Corporation, and Qatar University, reflecting effective institutional collaboration in tobacco control.
It included lectures, interactive discussions, and Q&A sessions moderated by Dr Mohamed Osman Bala, head of the Wellness Centre at Al Ruwais Health Centre and a member of the scientific organising committee.
