Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 22: In a proactive move to bolster emergency response and public health preparedness, AIIMS Vijaypur has set up a dedicated Poison Information and Management Centre (PIMC), functioning since July 2024. The facility, operational 24×7, reflects a strategic investment in early intervention mechanisms against toxic exposures – a growing yet under-addressed health risk in India.
With over 33 poisoning cases managed in less than a year – including pesticide ingestion, chemical mishandling, and venomous bites – the PIMC is already demonstrating its value in preventing fatalities and complications through immediate, expert-guided treatment. By offering real-time consultation via its 24×7 helpline 9103967500, the Centre is helping both medical professionals and the public make life-saving decisions at critical moments.
While traditionally poison control has been reactive, the PIMC’s mandate also includes prevention through public education and toxicovigilance. Its efforts to promote safe practices around chemical storage, handling of agricultural pesticides, and response to snakebites are aimed at reducing incident rates over time.
The Centre also serves as a surveillance hub, gathering data to identify patterns in poisoning cases. This enables better forecasting of risks and supports public health authorities in designing targeted awareness campaigns and policy interventions – a crucial function in the face of increasing chemical exposure due to urbanization and intensive agriculture.
Prof (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, highlighted the role of PIMC in making healthcare more anticipatory and less crisis-driven. “This centre is not just about treating poison cases – it’s about being prepared, informed, and equipped to prevent them,” he said.
As toxicological risks evolve, the PIMC stands as a model for how institutions can respond with foresight, ensuring communities are not just treated but protected.
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