Latest news with #Kulanthayan
The Star
25-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Malaysia must do more to prevent drowning, says public health expert
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). ALSO READ: Extreme weather misinformation 'putting lives at risk,' study warns 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. ALSO READ: Lifesaving skills needed to prevent drowning in pools 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. ALSO READ: Death by drowning is often preventable, especially in children 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
New Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Expert calls for intensified drowning prevention in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must intensify drowning prevention efforts, especially among children, as drowning is a preventable public health crisis, said public health and injury prevention expert Professor Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani. Kulanthayan said an estimated 700 drowning cases occur annually in Malaysia, with 500 involving children under the age of 18. "These figures are not just statistics — they reflect preventable tragedies that impact families and communities," he said in a statement to Bernama in conjunction with World Drowning Prevention Day today. 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 in 2024. However, actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting, misclassification and undocumented incidents. This year's global theme, "Anyone Can Drown, No One Should", calls for urgent and shared action. WHO's inaugural Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, released in 2024, provides guidance for governments, communities and individuals worldwide. He said practical steps such as installing barriers around water bodies, placing lifeguards at public pools and beaches, and issuing timely weather alerts can significantly reduce drowning risks. He also urged hotel and apartment operators to ensure 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. He also called on parents to equip children with swimming skills and never leave them unsupervised near water. 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 judgement 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
The Sun
25-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia must boost drowning prevention efforts, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must strengthen drowning prevention efforts, particularly among children, as drowning remains a preventable public health crisis, according to public health and injury prevention expert Prof Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani. Dr Kulanthayan revealed that 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 to Bernama for World Drowning Prevention Day. As head of the Putra Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Research Group at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr Kulanthayan cited WHO data showing Malaysia recorded 255 drowning deaths in 2022, while the Fire and Rescue Department reported 258 cases in 2024. However, he warned that actual numbers could be higher due to underreporting and undocumented incidents. This year's global theme, 'Anyone Can Drown, No One Should,' emphasizes the need for urgent action. The WHO's 2024 Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention offers guidance for governments and communities worldwide. Dr Kulanthayan recommended practical measures such as installing barriers around water bodies, deploying lifeguards at public pools and beaches, and issuing timely weather alerts to reduce risks. He also urged hotel and apartment operators to ensure proper supervision of swimming facilities. 'Swift and coordinated search-and-rescue responses are critical,' he said, adding that public education on lifesaving techniques and emergency preparedness must be improved. Parents were advised to teach children swimming skills and never leave them unsupervised near water. He commended the Youth and Sports Ministry's 2022 initiative providing free swimming lessons to B40 children, noting its dual benefit of preventing drownings and nurturing aquatic sports talent. Dr Kulanthayan also warned against alcohol or sedative use during water activities, as impaired judgment increases drowning risks. Public awareness of weather conditions, beach safety flags, and proper flotation device use 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 stressed. World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on July 25, was established by a 2021 UN resolution recognizing drowning as a major but preventable global cause of death. - Bernama
Barnama
25-07-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Malaysia Must Do More To Prevent Drowning, Says Expert
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) – Malaysia must intensify drowning prevention efforts, especially among children, as drowning is a preventable public health crisis, said public health and injury prevention expert Prof Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani. Dr Kulanthayan said an estimated 700 drowning cases occur annually in Malaysia, with 500 involving children under the age of 18. 'These figures are not just statistics — they reflect preventable tragedies that impact families and communities,' he said in a statement to Bernama in conjunction with World Drowning Prevention Day today. Dr 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 in 2024. However, actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting, misclassification and undocumented incidents. This year's global theme, "Anyone Can Drown, No One Should", calls for urgent and shared action. WHO's inaugural Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, released in 2024, provides guidance for governments, communities and individuals worldwide. Dr Kulanthayan said practical steps such as installing barriers around water bodies, placing lifeguards at public pools and beaches, and issuing timely weather alerts can significantly reduce drowning risks. He urged hotel and apartment operators to ensure 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.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
False sense of safety fuels risky driving among youths
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian youths' risky driving habits stem from a false sense of invincibility and peer pressure, experts warn, and call for urgent multi-pronged action to address the worsening road safety crisis. Universiti Putra Malaysia's head of the Putra Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion unit, Prof Dr Kulanthayan KC Mani, said many young drivers believe they are immune to harm and assume road safety messages do not apply to them. 'They often think accidents happen to others, not themselves. Without experiencing a serious crash or injury, many don't feel the need to change their behaviour. That's the real challenge.' While this mindset is often linked to youths, Kulanthayan observed it is widespread among road users and only shifts after traumatic incidents. 'Young people tend to be overconfident and drawn to thrills. Peer influence plays a huge role. Even those who wouldn't usually take risks may feel pressured to drive dangerously just to fit in or appear 'cool'.' These concerns follow troubling figures. According to 2023 data from the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, there were 598,635 road crashes nationwide, including 28,511 minor collisions. Kulanthayan emphasised that education alone is not enough. 'Education delivers long-term change, but enforcement brings immediate – though often short-lived – results. What we need is a mix of education, consistent enforcement and engineering solutions such as safer road designs and clearer signage.' He acknowledged government efforts to introduce road safety education from preschool to Form 4 but warned that successful implementation is crucial. 'If the programme is only partially delivered, we won't see the full benefits. Like medicine, the dosage matters.' Head of the university's Road Safety Research Centre Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said current driver training focuses too heavily on technical skills and not enough on shaping proper attitudes and risk awareness. 'Young drivers often hit the road feeling untouchable, without fully grasping the real-world dangers behind the wheel.' Law added that some road designs can inadvertently encourage reckless behaviour. 'Wide, straight roads with minimal enforcement create conditions that promote speeding. Urban planning must consider how road layouts affect driver behaviour.' To reduce youth-related crashes, he suggested Malaysia adopt proven international models such as the graduated licensing systems used in Sweden and Australia. 'These systems combine phased licensing with programmes that expose young drivers to the real consequences of crashes. It helps curb overconfidence and risk-taking.' Adding a psychological perspective, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's senior psychology officer Dr Zulfikar Ahmad said adolescents are naturally inclined towards risk. 'Youngsters crave intense, novel experiences. They may know the risks, but the thrill often outweighs caution.' He explained this stems from brain development. 'The prefrontal cortex – which controls decision-making and impulse regulation – doesn't fully mature until the mid-20s, while the limbic system, which processes emotion and reward, is highly active.' Social influences also fuel risky behaviour. 'Peer pressure and social media have major impacts. In subcultures like mat rempit, dangerous stunts are status symbols. Even when aware of the risks, many youths downplay or ignore them in pursuit of short-term approval.' To address this, Zulfikar called for early and sustained psychological and educational intervention. 'Road safety education should begin in kindergarten and continue throughout school years. It's vital to also engage young people through social media and digital platforms, where they spend most of their time.' He stressed the need for continuous psychoeducation across all age groups, using every digital tool available to deliver road safety messages that resonate.
