Md Shafkat Hossain, PhD:
Drowning is a leading cause of mortality in Bangladesh, particularly among children, with significant socioeconomic and public health implications. The “Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention 2024” by WHO underscores the preventability of drowning through coordinated and evidence-based interventions. I summed up a few recommendations for the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, United Nations (UN) agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address this critical public health issue based on the status report.
Strengthening Governance and Multisectoral Coordination: The Government of Bangladesh may appoint a senior official within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) as the main point of contact for drowning prevention initiatives. This leadership role is crucial for effectively coordinating efforts and driving impactful strategies to reduce drowning incidents in our communities. A thorough, multisectoral national drowning prevention strategy needs to be approved and put into action, in line with WHO guidelines. This plan must establish clear targets, deadlines, and performance metrics, involving stakeholders from the health, education, disaster management, transportation, and maritime sectors. To manage the execution of the plan, a national coordination body should be formed, consisting of government entities, civil society, UN representatives, and NGOs. Frequent reporting and accountability systems will ensure effective coordination. Additionally, it is crucial to allocate specific financial resources for ongoing drowning prevention initiatives, utilizing both national funding and international assistance.
Policy and Legislative Frameworks: The government can enact and enforce water safety regulations, mandating safety measures for passenger vessels, including lifejacket use and emergency plans, with strengthened penalties for non-compliance. Legislation requiring barriers around ponds, wells, and other water bodies, especially in high-risk rural areas, should be introduced and enforced in collaboration with local governments. The Ministry of Education may integrate swimming and water safety education into the school curriculum, ensuring age-appropriate lessons and survival swimming programs for children.
Community-Level Interventions: Expanding community-based childcare programs is vital to providing safe spaces for children aged 1-4 years, the most vulnerable group to drowning which claims 40% of deaths. This can be achieved by scaling up initiatives like community daycare centres and training caregivers in basic water safety and first aid. Community-level programs should also teach swimming and rescue skills to children aged 5-14 years, particularly in underserved areas, through partnerships with NGOs and local organizations. High-risk areas should be identified for installing physical barriers around water bodies to prevent accidental access, particularly by young children. Local responders should be trained and equipped with water rescue and basic life support skills, and quick-response teams should be established in flood-prone regions to enhance search and rescue capacities.
Public Awareness and Behavioural Change: Mass media campaigns should be launched and continued to educate communities about drowning risks and prevention measures. These campaigns must be culturally relevant and utilize radio, television, and social media for maximum outreach. Engaging religious and community leaders as advocates for water safety practices can amplify the message within communities. Additionally, workshops should emphasize the importance of adult supervision for children near water to encourage parental and community involvement in prevention efforts.
Data Collection and Research: Improving the accuracy and coverage of drowning-related mortality data through civil registration and vital statistics systems is crucial. Comprehensive research should be conducted in collaboration with academic institutions to investigate risk factors, high-risk groups, and the effectiveness of interventions. The findings can guide the refinement of strategies and prioritize resources. Moreover, cross-sectoral data collection mechanisms should be developed to facilitate data sharing among health, disaster management, and transport sectors, creating a holistic understanding of drowning incidents.
Integration with Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience: Drowning prevention strategies should be integrated into disaster preparedness plans, aligning with broader disaster risk reduction frameworks. Communities should be trained on flood safety and evacuation procedures to build resilience. Community-based flood risk management projects, such as creating raised safe zones and implementing early warning systems, should be implemented to further strengthen community resilience.
International Cooperation and Technical Assistance: Bangladesh should seek technical assistance and capacity-building programs from WHO and other UN agencies to enhance its drowning prevention initiatives. Regional collaboration should also be fostered by sharing best practices and lessons learned with neighbouring countries, which can enhance regional efforts in addressing this public health crisis.
Drowning is a preventable public health crisis that demands urgent and sustained action. By implementing these recommendations, the Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with civil society, UN agencies, and NGOs, can significantly reduce drowning deaths. This multifaceted approach will not only save lives but also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to health, education, and resilience. Collective commitment and coordinated efforts are essential to ensure safe access to water and safeguard the future of our children, the next generation.
Author: Md Shafkat Hossain, PhD Candidate at Bournemouth University, UK and Public Health Researcher at the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh
Email- mhossain@bournemouth.ac.uk
