Suriname's Battle Against Pesticide-Related Suicides

In Suriname, a country facing one of the highest global suicide rates, paraquat—a widely used pesticide—has become a major factor in self-poisoning cases. Efforts are underway to restrict access to this deadly substance as a means of saving lives.

In the small nation of Suriname, located on South America’s Atlantic coast, a significant public health crisis looms. With one of the highest suicide rates in the world, the cause is heavily linked to paraquat, a hazardous pesticide used predominantly in agricultural practices. It is alarming that just a small amount of this chemical can lead to fatal outcomes, earning it a grim reputation as a common method of self-harm.

Pesticides, specifically those like paraquat, play a significant role in suicides within agricultural regions of developing countries, accounting for over 100,000 deaths every year. For too long, this severe threat has remained on the sidelines, largely ignored by policy-makers and the public alike. However, a growing coalition of researchers and philanthropists is rallying for change, emphasizing the crucial need to limit access to deadly pesticides as a pivotal strategy in suicide prevention.

Paraquat, recognized as one of the most dangerous substances still available, operates with rapid absorption in the human body and lacks any antidote. Just a single sip can lead to multi-organ failure; unexpectedly, while death may be delayed, so too is the opportunity for regret and potential intervention. Emergency physician Dr. Esther Fong passionately articulates the visceral despair she witnesses, lamenting the inability to save individuals who ingest the toxin during fleeting moments of hopelessness.

The pervasive reach of paraquat is evident, as highlighted by local educators and emergency responders. “It’s very easy to find, and most every house has one bottle or more,” notes Ashna Badrising of the E.H. Cabell School. The inherent danger of easy access has ignited a critical dialogue around the need for regulation, drawing attention to a health crisis that demands urgent action in Suriname and beyond.