WHO for strengthening measures to prevent drowning

New Delhi: World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries in the South-East Asia region to strengthen measures to prevent drowning, which it says disproportionately affects children and vulnerable populations.

]According to WHO’s first Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, South-East Asia reported 83,000 drowning fatalities in 2021, accounting for 28 per cent of the global drowning burden. This contributes substantially to the nearly 30 lives lost to drowning every hour globally.

]Nearly 43 per cent of drowning fatalities in the region involved children aged 14 years or younger, the report said.

]Drowning is the third leading cause of death for children aged 5-14 years and the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years, the WHO report said.

]”To save lives and ensure equitable safety for all, expanding and scaling up proven drowning prevention interventions across the region is not just essential, but a moral imperative,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.

]Poverty, limited access to safety measures, and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate drowning risks, particularly in low and middle-income countries, she said.

]Children face heightened vulnerabilities due to inadequate supervision, limited swimming skills and lack of water safety knowledge. For older children and adolescents, peer pressure, risk-taking behaviours and substance use further increase their risk, WHO said in a statement.

]Children with disabilities face additional challenges in recognising and responding to water hazards, WHO added.

]Non-fatal drowning incidents can lead to severe long-term neurological complications and disabilities that require prolonged care, the organisation said.