By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: The latest report by World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that on average 1.2 people out of every 100,000 drown in Qatar every year.
The ‘Global Report on Drowning: Preventing a leading killer’ released on Monday also indicates that more men (1.7 in every 100,000) drown than women (0.4 in every 100,000).
It estimates the number of drowning deaths in Qatar based on data in 2011. At least 20 people drowned in that year.
WHO estimates that 372,000 lives are lost each year and more than 1,000 people drown every day across the world.
The highest rates of drowning are among children under five.
“Drowning is a leading global killer, particularly among children and young adults. It is preventable but neglected relative to its impact on families, communities and livelihoods,” said the report.
In Qatar, an estimated 10.6 children aged 1 to 4 years per 100,000 people (7.8 male and 2.8 female) drown.
Drowning deaths in neighbouring countries is similar to Qatar with 1.9 in Bahrain, 0.6 in Kuwait and 1.4 in Oman per 100,000.
However, according to the report, more than 90 percent of drownings happens in low- and middle-income countries.
Though 75 percent of flood deaths caused by drowning, these are not categorised as drowning deaths in official statistics.
“WHO data is the best available but, with drowning deaths going unreported in many countries, the picture is incomplete and the actual number of deaths is likely to be much higher,” said the report.
The report also highlights drowning prevention, control, and mortality, health policy, national health programmes and safety management.
WHO recommends that all countries can benefit from a national water safety plan.
“Whether it is a single, unified plan or one comprising several plans implemented by concerned parties such as the maritime, health or fisheries sectors, or the lifesaving community, collaboration across sectors is essential,” says the report.
In 2013, Kulluna, a national safety campaign, launched a water safety drive to tackle the issue of drowning in Qatar, especially among children.
The ongoing campaign highlights the importance of maintaining adult supervision around children to avoid such preventable deaths.
The Peninsula
