PCDIC Launches the Fourth National “Poison Prevention Week”

The Poison Control and Drug Information Center started the activities to launch the 4th National Poison Prevention Week at the University.  The event was attended by a number of participants including members of the Board of Trustees, a representative of the University president (Dr. Mohammad Hanoun), a representative of the Minister of Health (Dr. Rania Shaheen), Dr. Ansam Sawalha, director of the PCDIC, Dr. Nizam Najeeb, Director of Al-Arabi Specialty Hospital and Eng. Kamal Baraka from Paltel (both provided the funding for the week), the Acting Director of the Public Relations Department, medical hospital directors, delegations from several different agencies at the Palestinian National Authority, representatives from the Palestinian Standards Institute, Environment Protection Council, deans of different faculties at the university, and many other institutions, professors and students from An-Najah University.

Dr. Hanoun gave a speech on behalf of the University's President, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, in which he welcomed the guests and informed them that An-Najah has established the PCDIC due to the need of the community, and that it is a clear indicator of the prestigious thinking and uniqueness of expertise at this institution. He also thanked the financial supporters of the Week.  He also stated that the PCDIC was acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a professional provider of poison control information, and that it received a membership to the American Association of Clinical Toxicologists (AACT).  In conclusion, he said that this week comes as a result of hard work on behalf of the PCDIC team and other organizations such as that of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of National Trade, and the Palestinian Standards Institute, among others.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Shaheen gave a speech stating the importance of the Poison Center and the priorities set by the MOH to provide safe medicine and food to Palestinian citizens.  She mentioned that the MOH is thankful for An-Najah due to their continuous efforts to serve the public.

Eng. Kamal Baraka from Paltel mentioned in his remarks that Paltel is interested in financially supporting this activity as it is seeking excellence nationwide, hoping to make our community a safer place, and to prevent pollution. He asked everyone to collaborate to make Palestine free from contamination. In his remarks, Dr. Najeeb expressed his thanks to the Arab Specialty Hospital and to the staff of the PCDIC and their efforts in organizing the Poison Prevention Week. He also thanked An-Najah's administration for their efforts and mentioned that a special cooperation exists between the Arab Specialty Hospital and An-Najah University.

Dr. Sawalha, Director of the PCDIC, gave a lecture to summarize the activities of the PCDIC in the previous year and to indicate the high level of quality the center achieved.  She gave a scientific analysis of the cases received at the toll free number (1-800-500-000) and indicated that most of them were accidental poisoning, mostly in children less than 6 years of age, and that most encountered poison were medications, followed by pesticides.
She also talked about the achievements of the center mainly its accreditation with the WHO and its membership to AACT.  She stated that Al-Jazeera TV recently dedicated an episode to talk about the center.  As for activities, Dr. Sawalha showed a long list of workshops, lectures and other activities that the PCDIC has conducted in Palestine and abroad. In addition, she spoke about the different types of research and publications performed by the PCDIC during the past year.  Finally, she spoke about the future project that the PCDIC is working on to establish the first pharmacy museum. In conclusion, Dr. Sawalha thanked the committee that worked for the Poison Prevention Week, the financial supporters, the College of Fine Arts, the University for all its priceless support, and all those who helped to produce this seminar.
The attendees visited the exhibition that was prepared for the week, and attended series of lectures about common house poisons and how to protect themselves from them.  The Poison Prevention Week will continue till the13^th April, 2009.