Source: Le Défi (mu)
Date: 2010-06-18
Author:  Ramawad Ramful

Statistics have it  that the  “prevalence of tobacco use”
among health professionals is quite high (around 12 %) in
Mauritius but most of them  are keen to be involved in smoking
cessation. However, most of them (65 %)  think they do not have
the necessary knowledge and skills “to help smokers to quit in
their practice” and for that  , almost all the  professionals
say they “need training  in smoking cessation techniques”.
They are even ready to refer their patients who smoke to the
smoking cessation clinic in their area of practice, if
available.

Already, the authorities are giving serious thought to starting
such smoking cessation clinics on a national basis.  One such
clinic was started on a pilot basis at Odette Leal Health Clinic,
in Beau Bassin, in December 2008 and the response is said to be
encouraging so far. The clinic is part of the national Tobacco
Action Plan 2008-2012. . .


In its final recommendations, the report underscores that a lack
of training is the main barrier “ to implementation of
effective smoking cessation services for patients in
Mauritius.” It recommends the need to organise workshops  for
each category of health professionals. Experts will have to be
invited to lead the workshops so as to “constitute a critical
mass of empowered health professionals committed to prevention
and cessation programmes.”

Secondly, the report lays emphasis on the need to provide
necessary support to health professionals to quit smoking.
“They are role models in society; they are also key
stakeholders in the prevention of tobacco uptake and in the
promotion of smoking cessation  among patients.” Equally
important is to implement a holistic approach to facilitate
smoking cessation on work premises along with the need for a
proper environment to enable quitting and sustain smoking
cessation.