Doha: The smoking cessation clinics across health centres of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) have recorded a considerable number of patients quitting smoking in 2017.
A total of 1,584 patients were registered at smoking cessation clinics and an average of 13.1 percent has been able to quite the habit.
Smoking cessation clinics are available at several health centres and provide with support and treatment for those wanting to stop smoking. The success rate seen at smoking cessation clinics is considerable and indication of people’s willingness to adopt a healthy lifestyle, says Dr Abdul Hameed Ahmed ALkenji (pictured), Community Medicine Consultant at the PHCC.
“We have seen a significant success rate for smoker cessation at our clinics. It’s a result of our approach to patients, their readiness to quit smoking and adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Dr ALkenji told The Peninsula.
“Patients attending the clinics receive one-on-one counselling and appropriate nicotine replacement or pharmaceutical support. If they complete four months at the clinics and this time it the course of medical treatment for the smoker then considered as succeeded in quit smoking,” he said.
However, the number of patients registered to quit smoking and the success rate has varied throughout 2017. In the first quarter of the year a total of 399 patients were registered and 15.3 quit smoking, in the second quarter the total number increased to 423 and the success rate was 14.2 percent, in the third quarter of the year 329 patients registered for and 10.9 percent of them were able to quit smoking, while in the fourth quarter 433 patients were registered and 11.8 percent of them quit smoking.
Tobacco cessation significantly reduces the risk of developing tobacco-prone diseases such as coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
Patients at smoking cessation clinics at PHCC undergo a full assessment, including a complete medical history and related evaluations, such as Nicotine dependency test, lung function tests.
As part of the assessment, clinicians talk to patients about available treatment options, which include the most modern and effective solutions to quit smoking.
Patients between the age of 18 and 60 and above are seen at smoking cessation clinics.
They include male and female patients.
Medications such as Varenicline and Bupropion as well as nicotine replacement therapies such as gums, patches or lozenges are prescribed for some patients, particularly those who are considered heavy smokers with severe addictions. Any patient who is prescribed medication is closely monitored and the drug therapy is always prescribed as a short-term solution. Psychological support is also a core part of treatment.
“Varenicline is a new medicine we prescribe for patients at the clinic. It decreases the urge to smoke and reduces withdrawal symptoms and is therefore considered a first-line medication for smoking cessation for people without any Medical problems like heart diseases and mental problems and pregnant women ,” said Dr Alkenji. He also said that some patients experience short term side effects including weight gain, change in mood and headaches, which can be controlled.
PHCC introduced its first smoking cessation clinics at the Gharafa Health Centre in 2011 and now the service. Now it has been expanded to several health centers including to those in Mesaimeer, Al Daayen, Leabaib, Al Khor and Muither.
