MMHRC convenes international conference on clinical toxinology

Madurai: Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre (MMHRC) organized INTOX 2024, a three-day international conference on toxinology, in association with the University of Reading and the Indian Society of Clinical Toxicology. The conference aimed to discuss the latest developments in the field.

The event included a sensitisation workshop on public health management of chemical emergencies, conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with WHO India. The workshop shared critical insights into managing and mitigating the effects of chemical disasters, equipping participants with essential skills for responding quickly and effectively to such crises.

Dr.S.Gurushankar, Chairman, MMHRC, said, “The country contributes to nearly 50 per cent of global snakebite deaths and is considered the snakebite capital of the world. Considering the high mortality rate, the government has recently announced that snakebite is now a notifiable disease.”

Dr Narendra Nath Jena said, “Throughout the event, discussions revolved around how venom, poison, and toxins—often perceived as hazardous—could lead to the development of life-saving treatments, drugs, and biotechnological advancements.”

The conference emphasised the study of toxins, poisons, and venoms produced by living organisms such as animals, plants, and microbes. It also highlighted the importance of clinical toxicology, which involves researching, preventing, and treating diseases caused by chemicals, drugs, and toxins.