For World No Tobacco Day 2023, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC creates awareness around the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and encourages Mumbaikars to give up the habit
Each year, over 8 million individuals lose their lives because of tobacco consumption, with more than 7 million of these deaths directly linked to the use of tobacco. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), tobacco-related cancers constituted 27% of the total cancer burden in India in the year 2020. World No Tobacco Day celebrated globally every year on 31st May serves as a platform to highlight the detrimental health consequences associated with tobacco consumption. P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim recognizes the significance of this occasion and has taken a proactive approach which acts as a visual testament to emphasize on the impact of tobacco consumption. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and encourage individuals to quit tobacco.
In India, the prevalence of tobacco usage is on the rise, as millions of individuals resort to it as a means of dealing with the pressures of contemporary life. A staggering number of approximately 267 million adults aged 15 and above in India regularly indulge in tobacco consumption. Besides smoking, the most widespread type of tobacco use across India is through smokeless forms such as khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco, and zarda.
Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC shared, “Tobacco consumption poses a significant global public health risk, resulting in numerous avoidable deaths and debilitating diseases. As a healthcare institution, we take the initiative of educating, assisting, and empowering individuals to lead tobacco-free lives. Through this installation, we aim to sensitize the community, inspire positive change, and encourage individuals to quit tobacco for their own health and the well-being of their loved ones”
Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant - Pulmonologist & Epidemiologist, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, shared, “World No Tobacco Day serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need to address this global epidemic. Tobacco not only damages our lungs and increases the risk of life-threatening diseases but also affects the health of those exposed to secondhand smoke. The harmful effect of consuming tobacco ranges from increased risk of cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive issues to a weakened immune system. By understanding the gravity of these health risks and making a commitment to reduce tobacco use, we can pave the way for a healthier future, free from the shackles of tobacco addiction”
Through this initiative, the hospital aims to strengthen its commitment to raising awareness about the devastating effects of tobacco and promoting a smoke-free world. With the government taking measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco, members of the society too can create a positive shift towards healthier lifestyles and communities and safeguard the health of future generations. P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre runs a tobacco cessation clinic to help people quit the habit.
About P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre:
P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, part of the Hinduja Group, started as a clinic in 1951 and is today ranked as one of the leading multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in the country. For over seven decades, this institute has worked to ensure that world-class healthcare delivery is provided to all. It currently has two units, one at Mahim with 400 beds and the other at Khar with 110 beds. Both the units are equipped with state of the art infrastructure and has on-board some of the best nationally and internationally recognized doctors. P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Mahim has always been an early adopter of technology in delivery of care; being amongst the first few hospitals in the country to bring in the most advanced fully integrated Robotics System, Gama Knife, Digital Broadband MRI with ambient themes, True Beam Linear Accelerator and more. Quality care being the focus, it was amongst the early few hospitals that has been accredited and certified by NABH, CAP, and ISO. It continues to partner with leading International Institutes, latest being an arrangement with The Division of AIDS (NIAID, NIH), U.S.A, to establish a center of excellence for infectious disease research in India. P. D. Hinduja Hospital has consistently been bestowed with several Best Multi-Specialty Hospital awards by different industry bodies. In the Newsweek World's Best Hospital Survey in 2020 and 2021, it was ranked No.1 in western India, 3rd amongst private hospitals in India and 6th amongst all hospitals in India. On the Charity front, the hospital provides free or concessional treatment to the needy and also runs the Serve with Passion rural health programme, under which free healthcare services are provided to the tribal areas in Maharashtra.