The World Health organization on Monday 25 July 2022 issued a press statement calling on the global community to take action to prevent drowning.
WHO called on governments, institutions and individuals across the globe to “do one thing” to save lives on World Drowning Prevention Day.
According to the global health body, drowning is one of the leading causes of deaths among children and young people aged 1–24.
It is also considered as third over all leading cause of injury-related deaths.
WHO estimates that drowning tragically claims more than 236000 lives globally and on annual basis.
The theme for this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day “Do one thing” extends a call on global community to take action to prevent drowning.
The Jet e’Eau in Geneva was illuminated in blue among similar actions in other cities around the world in a symbolic call for global action during this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day observation.
WHO disclosed that more than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Children under the age of 5 are found to be at highest risk.
The statement attributed the rate of drowning deaths to daily routine activities such as bathing, collecting water for domestic use, travelling by boats or ferries and fishing.
WHO assessment also identified impacts of seasonal or extreme weather events such as monsoons as another common cause of drowning.
Leadership of the organization said these deaths are preventable through action driven interventions.
Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Non-communicable Diseases and Injuries describes drowning as a “global health challenge”.
“Drowning is a global public health challenge, and at Bloomberg Philanthropies, we’re focused on implementing solutions to prevent it. We’ve developed tools and guidance to help governments implement solutions and if we do more together, we can really save thousands of lives.
Today, we’re joining our partners around the world in recognizing World Drowning Prevention Day and taking action”, he said.
The Director General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhamom Ghebreyesus called for moreover concerted efforts in global drowning prevention.
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“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people around the world drown. Most of these deaths are preventable through evidence-based, low-cost solutions.
Today, cities around the world are lighting up their monuments in blue light as a call to action for each of us to do our part to prevent drowning”, the WHO Director-General echoed.
As part of activities marking the cause of this tragic death across the globe, WHO recommends six evidence-based measures to prevent drowning.
These include installing barriers to control access to water; training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation; and teaching school-aged children basic swimming and water safety skills.
It also recommends providing supervised day care for children, enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations and improved flood risk management.
Pictures: Bystander attempting to save a drowning man
