In brief
Suriname, located on South America’s Atlantic coast, faces one of the world’s highest suicide rates, with many cases attributed to paraquat, a highly toxic pesticide. This chemical is easily accessible in rural areas and poses a significant health risk, as ingestion can be fatal. The current push from researchers and activists focuses on limiting access to such harmful substances as a viable method to reduce the alarming suicide figures. Dr. Esther Fong, an emergency physician, expresses the urgency of addressing this issue, highlighting the agony of seeing patients suffer from the effects of paraquat. Local educators and first responders echo her sentiment, as the pesticide’s prevalence makes it too easy for individuals in crisis to access it.
