The seventh International MENA Clinical Toxicology Association Scientific Conference (MENATOX 2018) kicked off today (Wednesday) under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ali bin Talib Al-Hinai, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs at the Crown Plaza Hotel.
The four-day Conference is organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Directorate General of Diseases Surveillance & Control, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health.
It aims at educating the physicians in the MENA region about the impact of chemicals, toxins and radioactive materials, among the other hazards.
Over 150 participants from 15 countries around the World are attending the event along with 57 speakers specialized in the field of toxicology.
The conference is focus on the challenges and conflicts often faced in the region, in an effort to advance the field of clinical toxicology. Medical Toxicology is a branch of clinical science that deals with the nature, effects, detection, and management of poisonings. Medical toxicology training programs are not available in the MENA region, so arming these health care workers with valuable information, education and clinical resources is critical
In this year, the Conference touched on several topics; the medical challenges during poisoning by chemicals, radiation and some toxins, the latest research results on toxicology, as well as the latest developments on laboratory toxicology and the modern devices using to diagnose poisoning cases. In addition to addressing the modern surveillance mechanism and its importance in the system of surveillance and control of diseases related to the poisoning cases.
The scientific sessions also focuses on topics ranging from toxic alcohol ingestion to seafood poisoning to lab safety while working with poisons to dealing with chemical and biological warfare. Teaching participants how to recognize and treat illnesses and chemical injuries, and knowing when to protect themselves while treating patients is key Disaster and emergency preparedness and chemical security will be highlighted at the conference.
It is worth mentioning that poisoning by chemicals is a significant risk in all countries where substantial quantities and increasing numbers of chemicals are being used in the development process. Some countries already have well-established facilities for the prevention and control of poisoning, many wish to establish or strengthen such facilities, and others have not yet fully recognized the extent of the risk. The reports of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992, urge the need of establishing poison control centers in all the countries.
