Saima Wazed, the WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, stated, "We are joining the global community in observing World Drowning Prevention Day, dedicated to raising awareness and speeding up action on global drowning prevention. The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.18, passed in 2023, emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated multi-sectoral action to tackle this major cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide."

New Delhi: On Thursday, July 25, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Saima Wazed, urged everyone to save lives and prevent the sorrow of drowning on World Drowning Prevention Day.

She said, "We join the global community in observing World Drowning Prevention Day, focused on raising awareness and accelerating action on global drowning prevention. The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.18, passed in 2023, highlights the urgent need for coordinated multi-sectoral action to address this leading cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide."

Emphasizing this year's theme, "Anyone can drown, no one should," she added, "Under the overarching theme 'Anyone can drown, no one should,' the World Health Organization has adopted the slogan 'Seconds can save a life.' This underscores the dual nature of drowning: it can happen in mere seconds, yet taking a moment to act—whether by wearing a lifejacket, watching over children near water, checking the weather before boating, or choosing safety over distraction—can prevent a tragedy."

"Drowning is a sudden and silent killer, often catching victims and bystanders unaware until it's too late. A few seconds might not be enough time to respond. The power lies in prevention," she added.

Globally, drowning claims an estimated 236,000 lives each year—an average of 650 every day, or 26 every hour. This silent epidemic of preventable deaths excludes drownings related to flood disasters and water transport incidents, thus understating the true scope of the problem.

She further noted, "In our Southeast Asia region, the impact of drowning is especially devastating. In 2019 alone, drowning caused 70,034 deaths, making it the second-highest contributor to drowning fatalities worldwide after the Western Pacific Region. Most of these incidents occur near the home, largely due to a lack of supervision, exposure to hazardous water bodies, a lack of awareness and education, and poverty."

WHO is completing the Global Status Report on Drowning, scheduled for release by the end of 2024. This report will provide updated data on the global burden of drowning and offer key recommendations for effective actions at global, regional, and national levels.

WHO has identified evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable measures to prevent drowning and has provided detailed guidance for their implementation. Although the application of these measures will vary by context, the global drowning prevention community must stay vigilant and unified in its efforts.

"We all have a role to play in preventing drowning. Whether by raising awareness, sharing knowledge of effective solutions, working on prevention plans and policies with local or national governments, volunteering with relevant organizations, or ensuring personal and family safety around water, each of us can make a difference," she added. (ANI)