June 2024, Volume 2, Issue 6

Author

Omkarnath Sivarchaka, Kattamreddy Ananth Rupesh and Mohit Kumar Moses T

Abstract

Background: The increasing mortality and morbidity rates associated with poisoning in India have become a major public health concern. This short review paper discusses the urgent need for a comprehensive poisoning incident reporting and monitoring system to address data gaps and combat this threat at the national level. A national poisoning incident registry would not only provide traditional uses of data like aiding in the processes of planning, resource allocation, design of health programs, and public health research in the field of toxicology but also serve as a valuable tool for researchers investigating the scientific validity of using organs salvaged from poisoning cases for transplantation purposes. Discussion: With the emergence of biocrime as a stark reality in the post-COVID-19 era, the need for rigorous documentation of all poisoning incidents has become even more critical. Given the potential for molecular and genetic level threats, including bioterrorism, a strong public health surveillance system in the field of toxicology is essential in the future. Conclusion: The data on healthcare events is crucial for the proper implementation of healthcare programs, disease/issue control, and clinical decision-making. The Health Management Information System (HMIS) shows great promise in supporting decision-makers and healthcare professionals in providing high-quality care and reducing illness burden. The integration of toxicology event-related data in a registry on the lines of HMIS has a huge potential in improving the quality of health care in clinical toxicology scenarios in India. In conclusion, the implementation of a national toxicology incident registry is a categorical imperative to address the growing threat of poisoning fatalities in India.