Abu Dhabi, 31May, 2021:  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.