KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must intensify drowning prevention efforts, especially among children, as its is a preventable public health crisis, says a public health and injury prevention expert.
Prof Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani said an estimated 700 drowning cases occur annually in Malaysia, with 500 involving children under 18.
"These figures are not just statistics, they reflect preventable tragedies that impact families and communities,” he said in a statement in conjunction with World Drowning Prevention Day on Friday (July 25).
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Prof Kulanthayan, who heads the Putra Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Research Group at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said WHO data showed Malaysia recorded 255 drowning deaths in 2022, while the Fire and Rescue Department reported 258 cases last year.
However, he said, actual numbers may be higher because of underreporting, misclassification and undocumented incidents.
This year’s global theme, "Anyone Can Drown, No One Should", calls for urgent and shared action.
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WHO’s inaugural Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, released last year, provides guidance for governments, communities and individuals worldwide.
Prof Kulanthayan said practical steps such as installing barriers around bodies of water, stationing lifeguards at public pools and beaches, and issuing timely weather alerts can significantly reduce drowning risks.
He urged hotel and apartment operators to ensure that swimming facilities are properly supervised.
Swift and coordinated search-and-rescue responses are critical, while public education on lifesaving techniques and emergency preparedness must be strengthened, he added.
On individual responsibility, he called on parents to equip children with swimming skills and never leave them unsupervised near water.
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He praised the Youth and Sports Ministry’s 2022 initiative offering free swimming lessons to B40 children, which he said not only prevents drowning but also nurtures talent in aquatic sports.
He also warned against alcohol or sedative use during water activities, stressing that impaired judgment increases drowning risk and that public awareness of weather conditions, beach safety flags and proper use of flotation devices is equally vital.
"Drowning prevention is not just the government’s responsibility. Everyone has a role, whether as a policymaker, operator, parent, or tourist,” he said.
World Drowning Prevention Day is observed annually on July 25, following a 2021 United Nations resolution recognising drowning as a major but preventable cause of death worldwide. – Bernama
