PHOTO
Abu Dhabi: In line with World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, reiterates its commitment to supporting smokers quit the habit through a specially designed program, which is available at six facilities across the network.
SEHA’s smoking cessation initiative is available at Baniyas Healthcare Center, Al Bateen Healthcare Center, Madinat Khalifa Healthcare Center, Al Muwaiji Healthcare Center, Oud Al Tawbah Diagnostic and Screening Center, and Al Jahili Healthcare Center, and is staffed by experts with extensive experience in raising awareness around the harms of smoking and helping community members quit.
From the start of 2019 to-date, the network has provided support to over 4,300 people as they seek to refrain from smoking. SEHA’s recent success rate among those enrolled in the program is between 55 and 60 per cent, double the global rate of 30 per cent.
Dr. Bushra Al Ghailani, Family Medicine Specialist, Baniyas Healthcare Center, said: “World No Tobacco Day serves as a reminder to the community of the harms of smoking, with a special message that quitting is not impossible. Today is the perfect opportunity for members of the community who smoke to make the decision to quit, seeking support from healthcare professionals and their loved ones as they embark on the journey to better health.”
When participants are first enrolled into the program, they begin with a consultation where a healthcare professional speaks with the new-joiner to understand their journey of smoking and explores their commitment to quitting. The participant then undergoes examination, including an exhaled carbon monoxide test that evaluates the level of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas that stops oxygen from reaching vital organs) in their body that results from smoking and/or inhaling second-hand smoke. Then, using best-practice and clinical research and data, a suitable plan is developed that spans 3 months, including the provision of internationally-recognized and licensed medication, followed by regular check-ups, initially 1-2 weeks then every month.
Dr. Osama Ibrahim, Family Medicine Consultant, Al Bateen Healthcare Center, said: “The key to successfully refraining from smoking is persistence, determination, and strong willing. Participants must first be entirely devoted to quitting, only then can the program truly be beneficial. It is also important for participants to channel their energy elsewhere, for example by exercising or starting a new hobby.”
Participants of the program are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and we encourage patients to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to help the patients quit smoking. For example, including orange, kiwi, lemon, and grapefruit. In addition, water, ginger, spinach, broccoli, pomegranate, parsley, coriander, and green juices are helpful in reducing symptoms associated with quitting, elevating the body’s immune system, treating nerve and skin damage, raising the number of red blood cells, and strengthening magnesium levels.
-Ends-
About SEHA:
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
SEHA is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.
SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 13 hospitals with 3,385 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 11,7162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
