Role of the Poison Control Centre of Morocco in the Improvement of Public Health

Background: Poison Control Centre of Morocco (MPCC) plays a key role in promoting health. This study was aimed to demonstrate the role of the MPCC in improving public health and poisoning management. Methods: This was a retrospective study of poisoning cases reported to the MPCC between 1980 and 2011. The collected data included number of poisoning cases, profession of interlocutor who called the poison centre, time of poisoning (year), gender of poisoned patient, age of poisoned patient, toxic agent and intention of poisoning.  Data were analyzed using Epi Info software. The activities of MPCC were evaluated by three indicators including structural indicators, process indicators and impact indicators Results: Between 1980 and 2011, the MPCC received 401148 notifications which 73.1% of them involved scorpion stings and 26.9% were about other toxic agents. The main causes of poisoning, excluding scorpion stings, were pharmaceuticals (6.1%) followed by food (5.9%) and carbon monoxide (4.5%) poisoning. The MPCC devised five protocols through a consensual method and distributed to practitioners in hospitals around the country considering gastric emptying, management of PPD poisoning, management of scorpion stings, management of carbon monoxide poisoning and the management of snakebite. Gastric emptying decreased from 45% to 4% of cases during this period. A national strategy was set up for the management of scorpion stings leading to a decrease in mortality from 1.54% to 0.22%. Conclusion: During the period of more than two decades, the achievements of the MPCC have not been limited to providing toxicological information, but also activating a proper toxicovigilance system. In fact, a poison control centre is not a luxury structure. It is an integral part of every health system. Its impact on reducing morbidity and mortality is no longer discussed and its observatory role on poisonings should be strengthened.