WHO Reports 66,000 Annual Drowning Deaths in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 66,000 people lose their lives to drowning annually in Africa. Dr. Moham Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, made this statement in Abuja during a message commemorating World Drowning Prevention Day.

He noted that hundreds of thousands of lives are lost to drowning worldwide each year, with this year's theme focusing on strengthening collaboration and accelerating action to save lives. The African region continues to bear the highest drowning mortality rate, with approximately 300,000 people drowning each year.

Children are particularly affected, accounting for half of the drowning deaths in the region. Dr. Janabi stressed that these losses are preventable and require sustained investment and stronger policies.

He called for collective action involving governments, communities, and various sectors, including health, education, and disaster risk management, to address this issue effectively. Progress has been made since 2000, with a 38% decline in global drowning death rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions.