KFMC treats 200 victims of poisoning, mostly kids

RIYADH: Latest statistics show that 200 patients were treated over a period of time for different types of poison at the Emergency Department of the King Fahd Medical Center (KFMC). These cases were related to people of different age groups.
Most of the victims were children around five years old and most of the cases were due to chemicals used in the home as disinfectants and insecticides, as well as certain medicines, petrol substances and paints, Dr. Najla Khoja of the KFMC has been quoted as saying by local media.
Khoja said certain substances can affect older people also through wrong usage and requires emergency medical attention.
Her comments were made during the World Awareness Day Against Poison held in the presence of Dr. Saleh Al-Rashidi, the director of the head of the Emergency Unit, and other doctors.
Khoja said the aim of the awareness day was to highlight the hazardous effects of poisonous substances, its many types and how to deal with them. She said their proper use in the home is essential.
Dr. Khaled Al-Milhem, emergency medical consultant at the KFMC, said symptoms differ according to the substances and the way it enter the body.