Over the past few decades, our modern-day society has grown to the point where a large majority of commonplace formulations are not only readily available, but for the most part inexpensive. Be it various drugs, pesticides, herbal remedies, toiletries, or oils, the ease of access is a radical improvement in the quality of life of our community, but the increasing use of these everyday items has often masked their potential for abuse and harm, and that potential has made the common household more dangerous than it should be, particularly in our already-divided society. Readily accessible and normally beneficial pain medication is being abused to commit suicide through self-poisoning, particularly by domestically abused women of our society. Pesticides and various herbs and plants are being used against family members as homicidal agents. A substantial proportion of poisoning has been unintentional, with infant and child poisoning occurring through easy access to bleach, detergents, mothballs, other such household items and even certain plants and flowers which may contain fatal active ingredients. Use (and possibly overuse) of certain drugs by mothers such as oral contraceptives can cause side-effects which may be long lasting, and pregnant women using teratogenic drugs without proper knowledge of its effects can cause harm not only to themselves but also to their unborn child.
In the light that poisoning is one of the most common causes of death in Pakistan, an initiative was taken by IFMSA-LMDC in a collaborative effort with the Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department of LMDC to have a Poison Prevention Campaign consisting of two main activities, spanning from the 13th to 15th March 2017. The whole college was adorned in posters regarding the event.
On Monday 13th March’17 an awareness walk on Poison Prevention was done at Lahore Medical and Dental College ( LMDC). About 120 students along with faculty members participated in this event.
The awareness walk aimed at advocating the need for poison prevention measures to be taken by the general public and how medical students can work towards spreading this awareness motto amongst others and highlighting specific ways to prevent it. Faculty members and students, held placards with various messages. The slogans had statements like “Tobacco companies kill their best customers”, “Only take medication from Doctors prescription”, “Don’t go for self-treatment, ” Children can’t eat what they can’t find,”Don’t let another light go out”, “Think before you eat ” and ” Zahr say agahi , mein hai zindagi”. Th walk was featured in Dawn News, which coherently made the word reach the nation.
On the 15thMarch’17 a Toxicology Symposium took place in the LMDC auditorium with an attendance of approximately 200 . The event started with a word of warm tidings to everyone by the Principal of LMDC and by the Head of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Prof.Aamir Bashir. Welcome notes were delivered stressing the importance of toxicology and the need to have such platforms of discussion.
The presentations commenced; starting from student presentations. Mahnoor Mohydin from LMDC presented “10 Famous Cases of Poisoning, with detailed cases on Mustard Gas and Cleopatra’s snake bite” and Hira from KEMU presented the relationship of age and gender in types of poisoning as seen from studying autopsy reports . Notable presentations were also done by esteemed Professors. Prof.Khalid Gill presented the psychological aspects of suicide . Prof Zahid Bashir shed light on the toxicological analysis. The HOD of Forensic Medicine Prof. Arif Rasheed Malik discussed Alcohol intoxication. The HOD of Forensic Medicine from FMH Prof. Khalid Chaudry talked on kerosene poisoning. The Head of Peadtrics LMDC Prof Rizwan Waseem on Child Poisoning and lastly Dr.Saad on dental cases of poisoning . There was a huge variety of topics, which enlightened the students and attending.
There were small video clips which were played in between the presentations which depicted suicidal, homicidal and accidental poisoning cases.
The Poison Prevention Campaign proved to be a success
and will hopefully inspire further poison prevention measures and awareness activities.
The presence of more and more potentially harmful substances has made it all the more necessary to educate both students and members of the community of the dangers that these remedies and items possess, to increase awareness of different methods to manage such cases and provide care to the affected person, and to increase diligence on the part of the community on the handling and use of these substances. These considerations will surely pave the way to making our homes safer.
Report by: Mahnoor Mohydin (President LMDC-LC)
IFMSA-Pakistan 