[object Object]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new technical package called "PROTECT," outlining seven evidence-based strategies to reduce drowning deaths worldwide. The package urges countries to strengthen child supervision, swimming education, and water safety measures. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that drowning is a tragedy, but most deaths are preventable, calling for a collective effort across ministries to implement these practical approaches.

Globally, over 300,000 people drown each year, with more than 90 percent of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO also highlighted that climate change and extreme weather events are exacerbating drowning risks, necessitating the integration of drowning prevention into disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies.

These recommendations are particularly pertinent for Bangladesh, where child drowning remains a significant public health issue. Despite this, key government-supported childcare and swimming programs, such as the Integrated Community-Based Centre for Child Care, Protection and Swim-Safe Facilities (ICBC) and SwimSafe facilities, have been suspended. Authorities are awaiting approval for the second phase of the project, leaving nearly 200,000 children under five without community-based childcare and halting swimming and water safety training for approximately 360,000 school-aged children. This suspension raises serious concerns, especially as the monsoon season increases drowning risks.

“

Every drowning is a tragedy, and most are preventable. The seven PROTECT strategies give countries practical, evidence-based approaches to prevent these tragedies... Drowning prevention isn't the job of one ministry; it belongs to everyone, and the lives it saves are the reward.