Latest news with #PutraInjuryPreventionandSafetyPromotionResearchGroup
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.
