Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems. These include lung disease, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke and cataracts. Women who smoke have a greater chance of certain pregnancy problems or having a baby die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
70% of patients who visit doctors suffer from diseases directly connected to smoking, according to statistics. While the number of people consuming tobacco increases day by day, the habit is a norm in Maldives, the government, relevant stakeholders and non-governmental organisations attach significant importance to control tobacco consumption in Maldives.
Under the efforts of government, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) started a smoking cessation clinic to assist individuals aiming to stop the consumption of tobacco. The clinic is equipped with facilities to help stop the consumption of tobacco and also provides counseling. The clinic is open every day except Friday, from 1300hours to 1500hours, according to IGMH. The hospital revealed its Respiratory Department has 24 trained employees and the clinic is equipped with facilities to help stop the consumption of tobacco.
The clinic will provide information about the harmfulness of smoking and about the high risk of diseases caused by smoking, noting the clinic will also give professional counseling to smokers who want to quit, Consultant in Respiratory medicine of IGMH, Dr. Mohamed Ismail highlighted speaking with PSM News regarding the services provided by the clinic.
IGMH noted the clinic is well received by the public and highlighted the service is covered by the universal health insurance scheme of the Maldives, Aasandha.