From January 13 to 16, 2025, the picturesque islands of Male` and Huraa in the Republic of Maldives hosted a transformative event – the HEBAT (Henti, Elak, Basmi Asap Tembakau) training program. This groundbreaking initiative, pioneered by the Nicotine Addiction Research Collaborating Group (NARCC) and the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, represents a significant step forward in tobacco control advocacy and education.
HEBAT, a program that has continuously been refined since its inception in 2018, aims to train advocates in tobacco control to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2040. The recent training in the Maldives marks a pivotal milestone in this mission.
Over the course of two days at Imaduddin School, Male, 82 dedicated counsellors received comprehensive training through five meticulously designed modules. These modules blended lectures with interactive activities, ensuring a holistic learning experience. Following this, a mini HEBAT session was conducted for 195 enthusiastic students from 16 schools across Male and Huraa Island, imparting essential knowledge on tobacco control. The success of the HEBAT initiative in the Maldives would not have been possible without the invaluable in-kind support from the Ministry of Education, Republic of Maldives. Their assistance in logistics and provision of food and beverages throughout the program exemplified their commitment to this cause.
A highlight of the program was the feedback session held with the Minister of Education, where discussions on future collaborative efforts and training took place. This session underscored the importance of continued partnership and innovation in the fight against tobacco.
As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to expanding the HEBAT program to more regions, empowering advocates, and creating a tobacco-free future for generations to come. Together, we can stop, avoid, and eradicate tobacco smoke. 🌍💪
This write-up was prepared by Associate Professor Dr Farizah Mohd Hairi from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
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