Context

The tragic story of three IAS aspirants who drowned in the basement of their coaching center in New Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar serves as a grim reminder that drowning can happen anywhere. Ironically, this entirely preventable incident occurred just two days after the observance of Drowning Prevention Day—a global event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about this significant cause of death, highlighting the serious negligence and insufficient regulations involved.

Overview

Rising sea levels, overcrowded cities, escalating poverty, hazardous livelihoods, and 120 million forcibly displaced individuals—along with children undertaking dangerous trips to school—are all factors contributing to the increasing number of drowning deaths.

Studies indicate that in the near future, as we face more cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods, our vulnerability to water-related incidents will greatly increase. Children under 10 and adolescents, who already represent half of all drowning fatalities, will be particularly at risk.

Impact of drowing

• Children losing life:
  • In Vietnam and Uganda, children are losing their lives in rivers and lakes. In Florida, toddlers drown in swimming pools and hot tubs at home. In India, the daily journey to school can be perilous—crossing rivers infested with crocodiles and snakes, navigating through flash floods, or risking capsizing in boats.
  •  In Bangladesh, where 43% of child fatalities result from drowning, most children under five drown within just 20 meters of their homes.  Just as small children can slip away unnoticed into a village pond or an unattended bucket, adolescents and young adults—especially males—may drown while fishing, boating, or under the influence of alcohol.
• Impacting daily life: Drownings also result from water transport accidents due to unsafe boats and a lack of flotation devices, as well as people being trapped in cars during urban floods or women fetching water from hazardous sources. These incidents are often woven into the daily lives of people and tend to receive less attention than the tragic drownings of individuals like little Alan Kurdi or the heartbreaking deaths of Oscar Ramirez and his two-year-old daughter Valeria.
• A Neglected health issue:
  • Every hour, at least 42 people drown. According to the WHO, drowning claims 236,000 lives each year, with nearly 82,000 of those being children aged 1 to 14. Despite its death toll being comparable to two-thirds of that from malnutrition and over half that from malaria, drowning remains a largely underreported and neglected public health issue.
  • Experts worry that existing statistics fail to fully capture the extent of the problem. A major reason for this data gap is the way drowning deaths are recorded, which often excludes intentional drownings (suicides or homicides) and those caused by water transport accidents, particularly affecting refugees and stateless individuals. Additionally, deaths by drowning during natural disasters like floods or tsunamis are typically not included in global statistics, even though at least 75% of fatalities during floods are due to drowning.
  • The WHO acknowledges that revised data could indicate the true burden of drowning is four to five times higher than current estimates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and over 50% in all countries, regardless of income.

Different Approaches

• Recognition of drowing deaths: Drowning deaths gained recognition as a significant public health issue on the global stage when the WHO published its first-ever global report on drowning prevention in 2014. Following the release of the implementation framework, numerous studies and pilot projects were initiated. A pivotal moment occurred in April 2021 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on drowning prevention, urging worldwide action.
• Adopting water safety plan
  • Many countries have developed water safety plans. Australia has focused on its extensive coastline, promoting front-line water safety with surf lifesavers and lifeguards, while Vietnam has emphasized swimming lessons for children.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies partnered with the Vietnamese government to launch a national drowning prevention program, introducing the Swim-Safe curriculum, which requires children to demonstrate their ability to tread water for 30 seconds and swim unassisted for at least 25 meters in open water.
• Community approach: In Bangladesh, a community-based model called "Anchal" has been implemented, establishing childcare centers to ensure proper supervision for children aged 1 to 5. This straightforward approach has led to an 88% reduction in drowning deaths among children under four. In December 2023, India joined the effort by releasing a ‘Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention’ through its Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Consider it as an issue of social inequality: While drowning has always been a concern, only recently has the global public health community urged policymakers to address it as an issue of social inequity rather than merely as a series of accidental deaths. Global statistics reveal that 90% of drowning fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Even in economically developed nations, marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by drowning.
• Adopt effective drowing prevention mechanism: As with all public health challenges, the journey toward effective drowning prevention will be long and will require resources, systemic solutions, and multi-sectoral collaboration. In the meantime, rapid response plans featuring low-cost strategies—such as implementing barriers around water bodies, establishing daycare centers for preschoolers, teaching basic swimming skills, and providing safe water transport and flotation devices—could save lives on a daily basis.

Conclusion

the rising incidence of drowning deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and marginalized communities, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action. Despite the significant global burden of drowning, it remains underreported and inadequately addressed in public health discussions. The initiatives being implemented in various countries, such as swimming education and community-based supervision, highlight effective strategies for prevention. Moving forward, a multifaceted approach that includes systemic changes, resource allocation, and international collaboration is essential. By prioritizing drowning prevention as a public health issue, we can save lives and reduce the tragic toll of this largely preventable cause of death.

Source: The Hindu