Poison Information Centres

Poison Information Centres (PICs) assist in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of poisoning.

Their primary role is clinical, taking phone calls and supporting clinicians to treat patients. Some host specialist physicians who treat poisoning patients in toxicology wards and a laboratory to identify poisons. 

PICs are needed because poisons are many and diverse, and non-specialist clinicians lack knowledge about all but the most common.

Data routinely collected by PICs is used for public health purposes and for toxicovigilance, allowing identification of hazardous chemicals and emergence of new toxicological hazards.

Although the World Health Organisation considers PICs pivotal in addressing global poisoning, there are few PICs in some parts of the world, particularly Africa. There is also a great need to increase capacity in many PICs in low and middle-income countries.

What are we doing?

We are working with the World Health Organisation to implement guidelines for establishing poison centres.

This involves supporting visits by staff to PICs to observe processes and supply standard operating procedures.

We are providing access to TOXBASE - an online and app-based poison database providing guidance on the management of patients exposed to more than 21,000 poisons. It is provided free of charge to PICs in low and middle-income countries registered with the World Health Organisation.

We also work with clinical toxicology associations (APAMT and MENATOX) to teach PIC procedures at annual congresses. Ten scholarships per year will be provided to enable attendees from under- represented groups/countries to attend. 

Please contact Annie Watt (annie.watt@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk) for further information about the training scholarships and the application process.

Mentorship will be offered from experienced PICs to less experienced PICs.

To address funding limitations in Africa, we will work with clinicians in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana to explore ways in which appropriate poison information can be provided as a model for the continent.

Training Opportunities

We offer limited number of scholarships to individuals from low- and middle-income countries who apply to Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Toxicology (7 to 8 scholarships per year):

Applications for these scholarships should be submitted alongside your application for the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Toxicology at Stellenbosch University. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Stellenbosch University Course Director, Ms Carine Marks. To apply for the scholarship, you will need to submit an expression of interest. This should include why this opportunity aligns with your academic and professional goals as well as an overview of your intended career path and how the diploma and scholarship will support your aspirations.

This scholarship is funded by an NIHR RIGHT4 grant and is specifically designed to support individuals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) accepted into the postgraduate diploma program. The scholarship will cover: 

• Institution fees for the duration of the diploma.
• Limited travel costs, primarily for the conclusion of the program.
• NOTE: Recipients will need to secure supplementary funding to cover any other required travel expenses, insurance, and living costs during their studies. It is strongly recommended that applicants explore external funding sources to ensure comprehensive financial support.

Our Scholars

We are excited to announce a new scholarship award funded by an NIHR RIGHT4 grant. This opportunity supports individuals from low- and middle-income countries to pursue an 18‐month Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Toxicology at Stellenbosch University. The award covers institutional fees and limited travel costs, providing a  stepping stone to further professional development in medical toxicology and related research.

• Gedifew Nigatu Beza is from Ethiopia. He is a lecturer of analytical chemistry at Arba Minch University and has served as head of the Department of Chemistry, coordinating both undergraduate and graduate programs. He  volunteers as a Doping Control Officer at the Ethiopian National Antidoping Office, is active with the International Society of Forensic Toxicologists, and is a member of the national chemical, biological and radionuclear surveillance and response technical working group. He is an analytical chemist.
• Camilla Pennefather is from KwaZulu Natal. She works as a medical doctor in Cape Town, South Africa, and holds an MBChB in medicine and surgery.
• Dr Amith Balachandran is from Vellore, South India. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Medicine and the Clinical Toxicology Unit at Christian Medical College in Vellore, holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
• Dr Thandeka Dakalo Malange is from Johannesburg and practices as a medical doctor in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds an MBChB.
• Eze Chukwu Nwoye is from Nigeria. He is the Principal Pharmacist at the Toxicology Information Centre in Nigeria and holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy.
• Auwal Isma’il Ahmad is from Nigeria. He serves as a Senior Medical Officer and holds an MBBS in medicine and surgery.
• Frederic Litoke is from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He works as a Senior Medical Officer in Blaauwberg and holds an MBChB as well as a Bachelor of Science.
• Musonda Kasolo is from Zambia. He is the Pharmacy Head of Section and holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy, with additional expertise as a Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Specialist.

We welcome these outstanding scholars and look forward to the fresh perspectives and energy they will bring. Their experiences will improve public health and reduce the impact of acute poisoning in low- and middle-income countries.