"The congress provides a joint platform for scientists to compare methodologies and discuss poison prevention and control," said Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen during her opening remarks at the event.
The three-day symposium, Collaboration against poisoning: from regional experience to global vision, was co-organised by Bach Mai General Hospital and the Asia-Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology (APAMT).
"Clinical toxicology has increasingly played a vital role in the management of poison control and prevention globally," said President of APAMT Winai Wananukul. "The congress hopes to create a multi-professional education course that will provide supplemental instruction to young inspectors, physicians, pharmacists and nurses within the region."
According to Bach Mai Hospital's Poison Control Centre (PCC), the facility has treated between 1,700-1,800 patients each year. Fatality rates have been reduced from 8.5 per cent in 1998 to 1.7 per cent in 2009. The centre has trained more than 1,000 staff members and managed several campaigns to raise community awareness about poison prevention.
"Acute poisoning is a common problem in Viet Nam and about one-fourth to one-third of the patients admitted to emergency rooms are suffering from some types of poisoning," said former PCC Director Nguyen Thi Du.
"Common poisoning cases in Viet Nam include snakebites, pesticides and drug overdose," said Du, "Early diagnosis will help decrease their mortality rates." — VNS
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