Manipal centre gets WHO recognition

The Manipal poison detection center, which started functioning in March 2015, has been recognized by the World Health Organization for its contributions as a specialized unit that advises and assists with the prevention, diagnosis and management of poisoning. The center was established as the Kasturba Medical College (KMC) hospital at Manipal received many poisoning and drug-abuse cases regularly, a release here said.

The analytical toxicology wing was started to support diagnosis, early intervention, and comprehensive care. As per data, more than 50,000 people die every year in India from toxic exposure.

The WHO has listed the center in the directory of World Poison Centres on their website and a plaque on the achievement was unveiled by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) vice-chancellor H Vinod Bhat at the Biochemistry demo hall recently, the release said. The center also has a toxicology laboratory and a clinical treatment unit.