Panorama of Emergency Medicine
PoEM is an international peer-reviewed (double-blind) independent open access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in emergency medicine.
ISSN : 3006-0966
PoEM is an international peer-reviewed (double-blind) independent open access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in emergency medicine.
ISSN : 3006-0966
Background: Acute poisoning is a major global cause of emergency presentation and preventable mortality, with substantial burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Objective: This narrative review examines the clinical management, analytical Toxicology and challenges of acute poisoning in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) LMICs.
Methods: A structured literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar (January 2006–December 2025) was conducted for studies on acute poisoning in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Lebanon. The final set includes 100 academic articles and 2 additional sources.
Results: Published evidence on clinical management in MENA LMIC is limited. Major gaps include inadequate and inconsistent antidote supply, restricted access to toxicology testing, and limited availability of advanced support such as ECMO.
Conclusions: Strategic measures are needed to improve poisoning care, including ensuring the consistent availability of antidotes in emergency departments and expanding access to toxicology testing and advanced supportive therapies such as ECMO, particularly for severe or refractory cases.