Goidhoo Resident Urges Gov’t Probe Into Pesticide Use Amid Rising Cancer Cases
Goidhoo resident urges government to probe farm pesticides and rising cancer cases | Photo: MV+
A resident of B. Goidhoo has called on the government to investigate pesticide use on the island’s farms and examine potential links to a rise in cancer cases among its population.
In a letter addressed to Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and Agriculture Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya, Shahula Wajeeh urged authorities to address two pressing concerns: the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer, and unsafe agricultural practices.
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Goidhoo, home to around 500 residents, has recorded nine cancer diagnoses and three deaths over the past five years, according to Shahula. She highlighted that the island’s relatively high rate of tobacco use further compounds health risks.
The letter raised alarm over local farming practices, noting that 95 percent of the land allocated for cultivation is managed by foreign workers. Shahula said vegetables and fruits are frequently harvested and sold without observing safe waiting periods after pesticide application, citing examples such as lettuce, chillies, and cucumbers still containing chemical residues when sold.
She called for inspections under the Pesticides Control Act in Agriculture and urged the government to investigate the causes of rising cancer rates at the island level, alongside launching awareness campaigns for residents.
Shahula also emphasised that fertilisers are not being used appropriately and that the lack of oversight poses a serious public health threat.
The Ministry of Agriculture has previously introduced the Maldives Good Agricultural Practices (MGAP) Certification, a farm auditing initiative designed to ensure food safety and quality.
Cancer remains a major health concern in the Maldives, with the World Health Organization reporting that the disease accounted for 17 percent of deaths in the country as of 2020. Known contributing factors include lifestyle choices such as smoking, diet, and genetic predisposition.
