Drowning is a largely unrecognized threat to health and well-being, however every drowning is preventable. Thousands of lives are lost to drowning every year, including children, with most occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Ahead of the first World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July 2021, on 25 July 2021, the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regional Offices will, for the first time, launch two regional status reports on drowning prevention.
The status reports will present data on the burden and impact of drowning in 20 Western Pacific countries and 10 South East Asia countries, summarizing existing water safety legislation and sharing examples of best practices for drowning prevention from the regions.
This report is the final product of an ongoing drowning prevention programme which has involved consultations with government counterparts, non-government organizations, civil society organizations and WHO colleagues across the region over a two-year
period.
Virtual launch event
Join the virtual launch event on 22 July from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Manila (9:30 – 10:30 a.m. New Delhi).
Speakers:
- Dr Poonam Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
- Dr Takeshi Kasai, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
- Dr Etienne Krug, Director, Social Determinants of Health, WHO HQ
- Dr Razia Narayan Pendse, Director, Healthier Populations and Non-Communicable Diseases, WHO SEARO
- Dr Rania Saad, Regional Data Coordinator for Prevention of Violence and Injuries, SEARO
- Dr Caroline Lukaszyk, Technical Officer, Violence, Injury Prevention & Reduction of Harmful Use of Alcohol, WHO WPRO
- Ms Gemma May, International Advocacy Manager, RNLI UK
- Dr Samitha Siritunga, Sri Lanka Ministry of Health
- Dr Duan Lei Lei, China CDC
- Doan Huyen, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Viet Nam
- Dr David Meddings, Medical Officer, WHO HQ
Moderators:
Dr Kira Fortune, Coordinator, Social Determinants of Health/Violence and Injury Prevention, WHO WPRO
Mr Justin Scarr, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Life Saving Society Australia
