First-of-its-kind alliance, global status report to asses worldwide impact
The 76th World Health Assembly. Photo: @WHO / Twitter Member states of the World Health Assembly (WHA) agreed to establish an alliance to prevent drowning worldwide during the 76th meeting of the WHA May 29, 2023. This is the first alliance to address global public health concerns on the issue until 2029.
The 194 members of the WHA agreed to set up a Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention and prepare a global status report to assess the impact of drowning worldwide. The status report will inform policymakers of critical information to guide them.
Read more: Health for all: WHO launches first-ever roadmap to link health with sustainable economic growth
A resolution sponsored by the Governments of Bangladesh and Ireland invited the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate action on drowning prevention within the United Nations system and among relevant UN entities, according to a press note.
The resolution asked member states to study national drowning scenarios within each country and implement policies and programmes to reduce risks.
“Report on progress in the implementation of this resolution to the WHA in 2025, to include reporting on the global status report on drowning prevention and reflect on contributions to the agenda of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2025,” the draft decision urged member states.
Subsequently, reporting on achievements of the global alliance and intersections with broader agendas, including the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, should also be included in 2029, the proposal said.
“Drowning has the greatest impact among the world’s poorest people,” said Etienne Krug, WHO director of the department of social determinants of health, in the press release.
The proposal asked the WHO director general Tedros Ghebreyesus to, “encourage research on the context and risk factors for drowning, facilitate adaptation of effective drowning prevention and safe rescue and resuscitation measures that can be applied in local communities, and evaluate the effectiveness of drowning prevention programmes.”
Read more: WHO publishes zero-draft of pandemic treaty: Equity, IPR take centre stage
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, rising poverty is exacerbating inequalities in drowning risk. At WHO, we will continue to work across sectors and with various partners to prevent drowning and save lives,” Krug added.
The executive board of WHA recognised the interlinkages between drowning and development. “Over 90 per cent of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries,” it noted.
“The official global estimate of 235,000 deaths per annum excludes drownings attributable to flood-related climatic events and water transport incidents, resulting in a significant underrepresentation of drowning deaths,” the proposal noted.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.