KARACHI: Lone poison control unit covers 14m population
KARACHI, April 27: Karachi, in the backdrop of an alarming surge in suicidal and para-suicidal instances, besides cases of accidental poisoning, is in dire need of poison control centres on district level.
The only Poison Control Centre of the metropolis at the Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), which has registered more than 1,000 suicidal/ para-suicidal cases during the current year, itself requires necessary funds for expansion in its facility besides procurement of anti-dose medication which are extremely expensive.
In case of an unusual turnover of patients, as happened as recently as last weekend, when no less than 20 cases were brought to the unit, the doctors have no option but to seek beds from other departments/wards.
Toxicologists, associated with the Centre, mentioned that cases of organo-phosphate poisoning had increased tremendously in the recent past. It is available in form of insecticides, mosquito repellents and coils, etc. People of all age groups may fall victim to the poisoning, intentionally or unintentionally.
Incidence of poisoning among children is largely attributed to negligence on part of parents who do not realize that keeping the commonly available chemical (organo-phosphate) at a place easy accessible to their children is extremely dangerous.
Moreover, an easy access to kerosene oil, bleaching/washing powder, etc. are also responsible for a high incidence rate of poisoning cases among children. Accidental poisoning is also reported among handlers of pesticides and insecticides.
For quite some time, youth in the age group of 15-22 years appeared in majority of those who consume poison intentionally and add to suicidal or para-suicidal cases. A recent and unfortunate development is the growing tendency among matured women and men resorting to the extreme action.
Lack of tolerance, chronic illness, neglect, besides quarrels have been identified as major factors forcing people to attempt suicide.
Dr Aftab Turabi, Senior Registrar and Clinical Toxicologist associated with the JPMC, observed that attempts by youth appeared largely para-suicidal in nature.
Killing himself or herself is generally not the intention, he says, but motive is either to pressurise parents or draw others’ attention towards him/her.
“What these kids generally overlook are the consequential developments as besides other factors the very instances are categorized as medico-legal case,” he told APP.
Dr Inam, working at the Poison Control Centre’s medical unit-1 opined that possibility of emotional turbulence behind such extreme action could not be overlooked and hence there should be a close liaison between the Centre and psychiatry department of the hospital.
Regretfully, a big majority of local general physicians have little knowledge about necessary measures to prevent deterioration of such patients’ condition.
At the Poison Control Centre, 13 different categories of poisoning have been reported which require both general and specific management. The substances are drug overdose, pesticide/insecticide, kerosene oil, corrosive, heroin/opium intoxication, alcohol intoxication, etc.—APP
