A FIRST of its kind, multi-agency centre, set up to reduce the incidents of poisonings in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean was launched by Health Minister, John Junor yesterday, at Eden Gardens in Kingston.
The Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) centre, based at the University of Technology (UTech), is linked to several sentinel sites across Jamaica and the Caribbean, and is to offer crucial advice and research information to the public.
CARPIN will be directly available to consumers by telephone.
Other services include early alert warnings, community outreach, poison control information and advice, poison prevention campaigns, public education , collection of data related to poisons, and a resource centre. Health professionals across Jamaica will also receive special training on topics related to providing these services.
A release from the National Council on Drug Abuse pointed to the centre's unique role. It noted that "poison information networks are viewed internationally as a critical component of health care programmes. These centres save lives by providing timely responses to consumer queries about correct antidotes .
APPROPRIATE SUPPORTIVE CARE
They also help professionals to determine appropriate supportive care. Data returns from sentinel stations will provide an early alert system for emerging problems for governments to trigger local national or regional responses."
The unit was realised through co-operation between divisions of the ministries of Health and Education, UTech, the University of the West Indies, the University Hospital of the West Indies and the National Council on Drug Abuse.
Major regional partners include the Pharmaceutical Procurement Service of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States representing St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
CARPIN may be contacted at 383-9809, 927-1680-8 ext... 2300/2315
