Special programme launched to help healthcare workers curb tobacco use

Colombo, June 14 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Health and Mass Media has launched a series of training programmes to equip healthcare workers with psychological intervention techniques aimed at preventing tobacco use and helping users quit smoking.

Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Dr. Sreeni Alahapperuma, said the initiative focuses on the “Brief Intervention” psychological approach, which enables health personnel to promote behavioural change among tobacco users through short counselling sessions.

She explained that the method is designed to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use within a few minutes and encourage individuals to reduce or completely stop the habit.

The first workshop under the programme is scheduled to be held on June 15 at the auditorium of the Colombo District Director of Health Services Office, with Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Prabath Wickrama serving as the main resource person.

Medical Officers of Health, Health Education Officers, Public Health Inspectors and Public Health Midwives are among the field health staff expected to participate in the training programme.