Child drowning deaths have decreased by an average of 3-5% each year.

Vietnam is one of two countries recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the top 5 achievements in child drowning prevention in 2022. Child drowning deaths have decreased by an average of 3-5% each year, equivalent to a reduction of 100 child drowning deaths each year. This information was given at the Child Drowning Prevention Program Partnership Workshop on July 19 in Hanoi. The event was organized by the Department of Children (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) in coordination with the Bloomberg Charitable Foundation.

Launching ceremony for the whole population to practice swimming, prevent and combat child drowning
Child drowning occurs mainly in the community.

This is the first time this workshop has been held in Vietnam within the framework of the Cooperation Program on drowning prevention for Vietnamese children between the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids / Global Health Advocacy Organization (CTFK/GHAI).

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha speaks at the Partnership Workshop of the Child Drowning Prevention Program

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Thoa, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, said that the workshop is an opportunity to exchange and share experiences from other countries and the actions and efforts of the Government in preventing and combating child drowning...

Accidents and injuries are among the leading causes of death for children and adolescents in many countries around the world. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children and adolescents due to accidents and injuries in Vietnam. Therefore, the work of preventing and combating child accidents and injuries (PCTNTTTE), especially the prevention and combating of child drowning (PCĐNTE), has always received the attention and direction of the National Assembly, the Government, and all levels, sectors and localities in Vietnam. The Law on Children stipulates the responsibility of the State to ensure the implementation of PCTNTTTE measures. The Prime Minister also issued Decision 1248/QD-TTg approving the Program for Prevention and Combating Child Accidents and Injuries for the period 2021-2030 with comprehensive, multi-sectoral interventions on PCTNTTTE. In particular, the goal is to reduce drowning deaths in children, teach children water safety skills and create a safe environment for children.

International delegates share at the workshop

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said that the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has coordinated with ministries, branches and organizations to actively implement activities to improve knowledge and skills on child drowning prevention and control. Communication campaigns deployed nationwide have had a positive impact on social interest and awareness of child drowning prevention and control; risks of child drowning in families, schools and communities have been eliminated; swimming and safety skills training for children have been implemented in many localities; Authorities at all levels have enhanced their role and responsibility in implementing and allocating resources to carry out this work; Child drowning deaths have decreased by an average of 3-5% each year, equivalent to a reduction of 100 cases of child drowning deaths each year; In order to continue promoting the inter-sectoral strength in child drowning prevention, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, together with 9 ministries, branches and organizations, continued to sign the Inter-sectoral Plan on child drowning prevention for the period 2022-2030.

The cooperation program on child abuse prevention and control between the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Bloomberg Philanthropies under the direct management of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids / Global Health Policy Advocacy Organization, with technical support from WHO, has achieved many encouraging results in the past: 30,000 children aged 6-15 have been taught safe swimming and 54,000 children aged 6-15 have been taught water safety skills; 915 instructors have been trained in water safety skills; 14 mobile swimming pools have been installed in project areas. The project has contributed to enhancing knowledge about water safety for children and caregivers; Strengthening the attention, leadership, direction and responsibility of the People's Committees of provinces and cities in implementing child abuse prevention and control work; Supporting the implementation and completion of legal documents and policies on child abuse prevention and control; Support the standardization of documents guiding safe swimming, teaching water safety skills for children in accordance with Vietnam and WHO recommendations, project interventions in accordance with the objectives and solutions of the strategy, the PCTNTTTE, PCĐNTE program of Vietnam, and the direction of the Prime Minister. This is the basis for us to continue to direct the maintenance and sharing of lessons learned to replicate interventions nationwide. - Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha affirmed.

The project has contributed to reducing child drowning, especially in localities where the project is implemented, and Vietnam is one of two countries recognized by WHO in the 5 achievements in preventing and combating child drowning in 2022.

Delegates take souvenir photos at the Conference

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to Bloomberg Philanthropies for choosing Vietnam to organize this important workshop at a time when it is geared towards practical activities for World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25) in 2023 with the theme "Anyone can drown, but it is completely avoidable", which aims to ensure the right to survival of children. This workshop is also an opportunity for us to share lessons learned, effective interventions in child drowning prevention, and determine plans for the future. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to share and learn from the experiences of international friends, partners of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and further strengthen the cooperation, support, and coordination of international organizations and social organizations in child drowning prevention.

The workshop will continue to discuss until July 20 with many contents: Drowning situation and WHO Global Guidelines; Safe swimming instructions: Impact and Sustainability of interventions; Communication to create impact of communication campaigns in response to World Drowning Prevention Day; Lessons learned: policy advocacy on Drowning Prevention Program and Policy Development; Strengthening cooperation and knowledge sharing... Delegates will visit Quoc Oai District, Hanoi on July 21. And the Family Day for Drowning Prevention event will take place from 9am to 11am on July 22 at Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi.

Viet Cuong

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