World Health Organization (WHO) has launched PROTECT, a new technical package outlining seven evidence-based strategies to help governments and communities reduce drowning deaths ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.
Nearly 300,000 people die from drowning each year, with more than 90% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Drowning remains one of the top ten causes of death among children aged 5–14 years, while climate change is increasing risks through more frequent floods, storms and heatwaves.
The PROTECT package provides practical guidance across seven areas, including safer water infrastructure, rescue and resuscitation, occupational and water transport safety, swimming and water safety education, child safeguarding, and flood preparedness.
Also read: World Brain Day Highlights the Importance of Early Stroke Recognition and Treatment
“Every drowning is a tragedy, and most are preventable,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The seven PROTECT strategies give countries practical, evidence-based approaches to prevent these tragedies, including making water transport safer, teaching school kids to swim, and preparing for floods. Drowning prevention isn’t the job of one ministry; it belongs to everyone, and the lives it saves are the reward.”
The initiative was launched in Ghana, where an estimated 1,100 people die from drowning annually, highlighting the country’s efforts to strengthen water safety and encouraging wider adoption of evidence-based drowning prevention policies worldwide.
Click here to join our WhatsApp channel here
The launch also supports this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme, “Unite to turn the tide,” which calls for coordinated action across governments, sectors and communities to prevent drowning and save lives.
“This framework will save lives while building on the progress governments around the world are making to prevent drowning deaths in their countries,” said Dr Kelly Henning, who leads the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Bloomberg Philanthropies has worked with governments worldwide to implement proven, effective strategies that reduce drowning deaths. We applaud the World Health Organization for its leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing to support it and local governments as they use the PROTECT technical package.”
