New Delhi, Dec 14 (NationPress) The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged nations within the South-East Asia region to intensify actions aimed at preventing drowning, a crisis that predominantly impacts children and at-risk groups.
The region recorded an alarming total of 83,000 drowning fatalities in 2021, representing 28 percent of the global drowning toll and contributing to nearly 30 lives lost every hour worldwide, as highlighted in WHO's inaugural Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention.
Notably, approximately 43 percent of drowning deaths in the region involved children aged 14 years or younger.
Saima Wazed, the Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized that expanding and implementing effective drowning prevention strategies is crucial not only for saving lives but also as a moral obligation to ensure equitable safety for all.
“Children are particularly vulnerable due to insufficient supervision, poor swimming abilities, and a lack of water safety education. For older children and teenagers, factors such as peer pressure, risk-taking behaviors, and substance misuse further elevate their risk,” she highlighted.
Survivors of non-fatal drowning incidents often face severe long-term neurological issues and disabilities that necessitate prolonged care.
While many countries in the region have established comprehensive drowning prevention frameworks, there is still much work to be done.
Drowning ranks as the third leading cause of death among children aged 5–14 years and the fourth leading cause for those aged 1–4 years.
The WHO regional director underscored the need for enhanced governance, the establishment of a dedicated agency to oversee drowning prevention efforts, improved cross-sector collaboration, better drowning data collection, and the implementation of evidence-driven community-level initiatives.
“Drowning prevention is fundamentally an issue of equity. By prioritizing vulnerable populations, promoting innovative leadership, and fostering global collaboration, nations can significantly mitigate drowning fatalities. With ongoing commitment and united efforts, we can ensure that everyone, everywhere, can live safely around water,” stated Wazed.
