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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?
- In India, at least 38,000 people die from drowning each year, which experts believe is an underestimation.
- 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.
- Around 3,000 of these deaths were children under 14 years old, mostly boys.
- However, many deaths, including those caused by flooding, are not accurately recorded as drowning incidents.
- 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?
- In December 2023, the Union Ministry of Health introduced the Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention.
- 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?
- 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.
- Provide Safe Spaces: Following Bangladesh’s example, create safe play areas, install barricades, and put up signage around water bodies.
- Promote Swimming Lessons: Swimming education, like in West Bengal’s Sundarbans, can save children from drowning in controlled environments.
- 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.
