Drowning is a major issue in India

Source: The post drowning is a major issue in India has been created, based on the article “Why does drowning not figure as a health crisis in India?” published in “The Hindu” on 13th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Context: The article discusses how drowning is a major issue in India, causing over 38,000 deaths annually. Despite this, drowning is not treated as a public health crisis. Experts urge greater attention, prevention efforts, and community-led initiatives to reduce drowning deaths.

What is the Scale of the Drowning Problem in India?

1. In India, at least 38,000 people die from drowning each year, which experts believe is an underestimation.
2. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2022, more than 70% of drowning deaths in India were due to accidental falls into water bodies.
3. Around 3,000 of these deaths were children under 14 years old, mostly boys.
4. However, many deaths, including those caused by flooding, are not accurately recorded as drowning incidents.
5. Globally, drowning has caused over 2.5 million deaths in the last decade, primarily in low and middle-income countries.

What are the government’s efforts to prevent drowning?

1. In December 2023, the Union Ministry of Health introduced the Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention.
2. A National Strategy for the Prevention of Unintentional Injury was also launched, but experts believe that India still has much progress to make.

What Should be Done?

1. Increase Public Awareness: Experts emphasize that changing public perception of drowning, like how smoking went from being seen as glamorous to harmful, is key.Drowning needs to be recognized as a serious public health issue to receive more attention and resources.
2. Provide Safe Spaces: Following Bangladesh’s example, create safe play areas, install barricades, and put up signage around water bodies.
3. Promote Swimming Lessons: Swimming education, like in West Bengal’s Sundarbans, can save children from drowning in controlled environments.
4. Accurate Data Collection: Improve data reporting on drowning deaths, including flooding incidents.

Question for practice:

Discuss the scale of the drowning problem in India and the measures that can be taken to prevent it.