TCV Raises Concerns Over Underreported Suicide Cases in Guyana

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Government has launched a $35 million programme in Black Bush Polder (BBP), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), to provide farmers with double-lock cupboards for the safe storage of pesticides and other toxic agricultural chemicals, as authorities move to address longstanding concerns about suicide and unsafe chemical access in the farming community.

Such an initiative was first mooted by The Caribbean Voice, based on the Sri Lankan model which had reduced suicide by 50% and since then, we have been lobbying for it to be implemented nationwide. We are aware that prior to this BBP rollout, 300 hundred strong boxes had been distributed to farmers. We hope the BBP rollout would expand nationwide since piecemeal efforts are exercises in futility.

While the Sri Lanka was successful, as soon as funding ran out the suicide rate began to climb again. 20,000 boxes were distributed but the necessary awareness was not done. So, we hope that the education/awareness building component is accompanying the distribution of boxes in Guyana. As well periodic surprise inspections need to be carried out to ensure the boxes are appropriately used and that storage, handling and disposal of drug containers take place in the desired manner. In short, a mandatory safety protocol is a necessity.

While Guyana has descended somewhat from the highest suicide rate globally, the current figures do not reflect suicide reality. The globally underreported rate is 25%, but that rate is higher in Guyana, based on empirical evidence. TCV is aware that there are many suicides taking place, unknown to police, hospitals or the media. We believe that Guyana’s unreported rate could be as high as 40%.

That lack of confidence in the suicide hotline remains high, is a significant problem, as oftentimes persons referred to TCV, refuse to go to the hotline when we suggest same and TCV ends up doing the counselling. Perhaps a forensic analysis of the hotline is necessary to address the deficits, and an ongoing public awareness should be in place to promote it.

We are also happy that there are plans to gradually phase out more hazardous chemicals in favour of products considered safer and more environmentally friendly. TCV has also been advocating for this for more than a decade, especially focusing on paraquat, the most dangerous of these drugs, which has been banned in over 70 nations.

There is still one final component of this process that is necessary to tackle suicide and that is training in measures to immediately mitigate the effects of poison before a victim accesses health care. This immediate action can reduce the severity of the poison and save the life of a victim. Some years ago, we had referred Dr. Verrol Simmons, now retired UWI lecture, and an acclaimed toxicologist.

This suggestion was never taken up by the authorities, but TCV does have a webinar that was done by Dr. Simmons that can be accessed at this link: thttps://www.google.com/search?q=an+expert+in+poison+control+is+called&oq=an+expert+in+poison+control+is+called&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigAdIBCjExMjYxajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBXXEsdHyhKDs&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Now that the strongbox initiative is on the table, TCV believes that Dr. Simmons should be contacted and brought to provide training, perhaps a train the trainer program, so the training can then be passed on to others and ensure continuity. And a poison control hotline should be set up to supplement this training.

Yours truly,
Annan Boodram
Management Committee Coordinator