Red flag over sanitisers after many suicide bids

Easy Availability During Pandemic Led Many To Choose It

- Amrita Didyala

Hyderabad: At least 80 people have attempted suicide by consuming hand sanitisers in the last one year, as per data from the emergency department of Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), while 20 other such cases were reported at other tertiary centres in the city.

The easy availability of sanitisers in the Covid-19 pandemic had led many trying sanitisers as a method of suicide. Surprisingly, many have even consumed it after mixing it with alcohol to make the process pleasurable as per experts.

“While some have consumed it directly, in many cases people tend to mix it with alcohol too. Use of sanitisers have increased dramatically since the pandemic hit, primarily due to the ease of access. Now sanitisers are among other substances like floor cleaners, bathroom cleaners, disinfectants, herbicides and pesticides used by people,” explained Dr Ashima Sharma, head of department of emergency medicine, NIMS.

At least 50% of the hand sanitisers that were sold in the market during the pandemic are fake and their contents turned fatal for many after using them as a substitute for liquor.

“Sadly in most cases of sanitisers consumption, we see either youngsters from rural areas or farmers brought to us, after they suffered extensive gastrointestinal (GI) tract injuries,” Dr Ashima Sharma added.