NONTHABURI, 4th March 2017 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is poised to prevent child deaths and injuries related to drowning, a hazard that claimed hundreds of lives of children last year.
Speaking on the occasion of Child Drowning Prevention Day, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Dr Jessada Chokdamrongsuk said drowning was the number one cause of death among children. A recent survey shows that 699 youngsters aged under 15 drowned in 2016. The incidence of child drowning peaked at 197 between March and May during which period children are on their school break. In some years, the incidence of child drowning has risen to around 450 during the school holiday months.
The MOPH plans to encourage more public participation in its efforts to lessen the incidence of drowning among children aged below 15. Communities are advised to build fences, post safety warning signs at waterfront areas and place life-saving equipment at the disposal of adults. Both adults and children need to be taught swimming, survival and resuscitation skills.
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