DROWNING REMAINS A CONCERN

Tanaka Mahanya

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has said drowning is one of the leading causes of death for people aged between one to 24 years.

Marking World Drowning Prevention Day yesterday, the WHO said drowning claims at least 236 000 lives every year.

“The overwhelming majority of these deaths, 90 percent, happen in low and middle-income countries. Drowning has caused over 2.5 million deaths in the last decade.

“Globally, the highest drowning rates occur among children aged one to four years, followed by children aged five to nine.”

WHO said the human, social and economic toll of these losses is intolerably high, and entirely preventable.

“In 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted its first ever resolution on drowning prevention.

“The resolution accepts the invitation of the United Nations General Assembly for WHO to coordinate actions within the UN system on drowning prevention and facilitate the observance of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July each year.

“To mark this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO will continue to focus on raising awareness on drowning as a public health issue, reminding people that anyone can drown, but no one should.

“We are also raising awareness on the six evidence-based, low-cost drowning prevention interventions that countries and organisations can use to drastically reduce the risk of drowning.” In Zimbabwe, the number of people who drowned in 2020 increased to 483 from 411 in 2019.

In response, the WHO is advocating for low-cost preventative measures, such as training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation and installing barriers to control access to water.

These interventions are intended to reduce the risk of drowning for the most vulnerable age groups.