Tobacco Cessation Centres to come up at all medical colleges of J&K

Skills of students to be upgraded in accordance with code of medical ethics

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council has written to the Principal and Dean of all Medical Colleges in the Union Territory to establish tobacco cessation as per the operational guidelines from MOHFW and upgrade students' skills in accordance with the code of medical ethics.
The official communiqué in this regard reads, 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 the practice of holistic medicine, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases”.
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 added.
Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of death and disease globally, accounting for more than 8 million deaths annually. In India alone, tobacco is responsible or nearly 1.3 million deaths annually. Tobacco use results in fatal consequences, including carcinomas, coronary artery disease and coronary obstructive lung disease, it reads.
It added, “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 to 15 years) is more than 11%”.
It added, “In view of the above, all head of medical institutions and hospitals in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are therefore, requested to establish a tobacco cessation centeras 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”.