Feasibility Study for a Sub-Regional Poisons Centre in the East Africa Sub-Region
This feasibility study, which started in January 2012, is funded by the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Quick Start Programme (QSP). The project is being carried out jointly by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency and WHO.
The overall objective of the project is to find a means for improving the provision of poisons centre services in Africa. The specific objectives are:
- To document the incidence of poisoning in the East African sub-region;
- To establish the existing provision of poisons centre services in the sub-region;
- To identify available models of poisons centre service provision and the requirements for their establishment; and
- To present options for improving the availability of poisons centre services in the sub-region.
While this project will focus on one sub-region it is expected that the findings could be applied in other sub-regions.
A large part of the project will involve gathering information about the pattern and frequency of poisoning, the health systems in the countries, and the existing capacities for the identification and management of poisoning exposures, as well as about attitudes and the practical considerations of providing a cross-border information service. This information will be gathered through a postal survey and through a series of international and national multistakeholder workshops. Four countries will be studied in depth: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The above studies will be supplemented by a search of peer-reviewed and grey literature, including the WHO Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) and National Health Profiles, National Chemicals Management Profiles, the situation assessment and needs analyses (SANA) conducted as part of the follow-up to the Libreville Declaration on health and environment in Africa, and relevant SAICM QSP projects.