Jammu Tawi, Jul 3: The government has decided to establish tobacco cessation centres in all medical institutions and hospitals of J&K.
The move has come as per the operational guidelines from MOHFW and upgrading the skills of students in accordance with the code of medical ethics.
“As per National Medical Commission guidelines, an Indian Medical Graduate should be able to recognize “Health for all” as a National goal and health right of all citizens and undergoing training for medical profession fulfill his/her social obligations towards realization of this goal and achieve competence in practice of holistic medicine, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases,” reads the communiqué of J&K Medical council with Principals/ Deans of all medical colleges.
“Given the importance of tobacco cessation services in medical institutions and hospitals, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued an Operational Guidelines for Establishing a Tobacco Cessation Centers in Medical Institutions,” it said.
Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of death and discase globally, accounting for more than 8 million deaths annually. In India alone, tobacco is responsible for nearly 1.3 million deaths annually. Tobacco use results in fatal consequences, including carcinomas, coronary artery disease and coronary obstructive lung disease.
According to the second Global Adult Tobacco Survey Report of 2016-17, tobacco use prevalence in Jammu and Kashmir among adults (15 years and above) is about 24% in (39.7% of men, 6.2% of women). According to the fourth Global Youth Tobacco Survey Report of 2019 prevalence of tobacco use among youths in Jammu and Kashmir(13 to15 years) is more than 11%.
“All head of medical institutions and hospitals in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are therefore, requested to establish a tobacco cessation center as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and also conduct the regular CME's on the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products Act (COTPA-2003) and also upgrading the skills of students in accordance with the JK Medical Council Code of Medical Ethics (Professional Conduct, Etiquette & Ethics Regulation 2003),” it reads.
