The Department of Child Affairs under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs coordinated with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (a global health policy advocacy organization) of the US to organize a training session in Binh Duong province on October 10 to improve journalism and communication skills on child drowning prevention in Vietnam for reporters and journalists.
Through the training session, press and media agencies will have a comprehensive and accurate view to participate more strongly, helping society and the community understand the true nature of the current situation of child drowning prevention in Vietnam. At the same time, it affirms the responsibility of all parties in contributing to reducing drowning accidents, with the goal of raising awareness, changing behavior, increasing skills, and reducing the rate of child drowning.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, there are over 300,000 cases of drowning globally, the rate for men being twice that for women. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that in 2020 alone, there were nearly 2,000 deaths due to drowning in Vietnam, which is considered one of the top 10 causes of death in the group of people aged 1-24 in Vietnam. Drowning is caused by natural factors such as natural disasters, floods and children playing near water without adult supervision while they lack swimming skills, lack safety awareness in the water environment, or use waterway transport without ensuring safety and adequate protective measures.
MA. Doan Thi Thu Huyen, Country Director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said that the intervention results from the Drowning Prevention Program for Vietnamese Children implemented by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids show that 44,398 children aged 6-15 have learned safe swimming; 52,250 children aged 6-15 have learned safety skills; 30,204 parents, caregivers and preschool teachers were instructed on child drowning prevention and control.
Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Child Affairs, also set out a number of communication goals on child accident and injury prevention and control for authorities at all levels, communities, parents, caregivers and children: 90% of children, parents and caregivers are provided with knowledge and skills on child injury prevention and control by 2025 and 95% by 2030; 90% of children aged six to under 16 years old know road traffic safety regulations by 2025 and 95% by 2030; 60% of children aged six to under 16 years old know safety skills in water environments by 2025 and 70% by 2030; 50% of children aged six to under 16 years old will know how to swim safely by 2025 and 60% by 2030; 90% of children will how to use life jackets when participating in traffic on inland waterways with mandatory use of life jackets by 2025 and 95% by 2030.
Sharing WHO guidelines and international experience in drowning prevention and control, Dr. Duong Khanh Van, WHO Technical Officer in Vietnam, said that the World Health Organization recommends four strategies and six intervention measures to prevent drowning, focusing on ensuring mechanisms from countries to have an effective approach and coordination to address drowning./.