Kabba Kargbo, Public Health Threats in Suriname, Summer 2026
What stood out most about the Public Health Threats in Suriname program was the opportunity to learn outside of a traditional classroom. Our lessons did not come only from textbooks, presentations, or lectures from guest speakers. Instead, we traveled to different locations all across the country, observed environmental and public health conditions firsthand, and spoke with people whose lives were directly connected to the topics we were studying. Suriname’s environmental and cultural diversity made it an amazing place to study public health. During the program, we mainly explored the One Health concept. This is basically how human health is connected to natural resources, animals, industries, government policies, and local communities. Our visit to Brownsberg Nature Park was especially memorable. While walking through the rainforest, we learned about different plants and the ways some local communities have traditionally used them, which was nothing like Western use of plants that we were all accustomed to. The visit demonstrated how health knowledge can be passed down through generations and shaped by the surrounding environment.
We also examined environmental concerns connected to industries such as oil production and gold mining. These experiences helped me understand that industries can provide employment and contribute to a country’s economy while also creating environmental and public health concerns. This showed me that many public health challenges do not have simple solutions. They require cooperation among governments, industries, health professionals, and the communities that are most affected. Another aspect that stood out was how Suriname reminded me of my own
Sierra Leonean background. I noticed cultural similarities related to community, natural resources, and the importance of shared knowledge. These connections made the experience feel personal and allowed me to view Suriname through both an academic and cultural perspective.
This program made public health feel more real and interconnected for me. It showed me that public health is not limited to behind-the-scenes work, health departments, or research institutions. It is present in forests, workplaces, villages, policies, and everyday decisions that we all make. Most importantly, this experience taught me that understanding health requires us to
understand the environment and the communities in which people live.
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