New Delhi
On Wednesday, Professor SP Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar, Ministers of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, unveiled the ‘Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention.’ According to a press statement from the Ministry, Professor SP Singh Baghel emphasized the preventability of drowning, urging efforts to promote preventive measures for water safety and reduce incidents of drowning. Addressing the need for awareness campaigns, he highlighted the alarming statistic of 38,000 reported drowning cases in the country, emphasizing the importance of mass awareness to prevent such incidents.
Professor Baghel stressed the significance of advisory measures for drowning prevention, particularly during celebrations and rituals where a higher incidence of drowning occurs. Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar further elaborated on the strategies outlined in the National Strategic Framework, emphasizing multi-sectoral collaboration, strategic communication for public awareness, the formulation of national and state drowning prevention action plans, and evidence-based interventions to create a safer environment around water bodies.
Dr. Pawar underscored the lack of knowledge and awareness as contributing factors to drowning incidents and called for a comprehensive approach encompassing awareness, education, data-driven interventions, infrastructure development, collaboration, and strengthened emergency response. She suggested investing in safe recreational spaces, enhancing safety infrastructure around water bodies, and establishing robust reporting systems at both local and national levels to identify high-risk areas and implement effective interventions. The conference, attended by key officials, highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts to prevent drowning incidents in India.
