Death of children from drowning
Drowning is the leading cause of death of children aged 1-17 years and has turned into a "silent epidemic" in Bangladesh. On average, 18,000 children die every year from drowning in this county. This startling statistic is enough to shock any health worker, parent, or politician, but it is very real and it is happening every year.
Though child deaths have reduced noticeably, the number of child deaths from drowning is increasing day by day. The majority of Bangladeshi people live in rural areas. So, it is no surprise that most deaths from drowning take place there.
Children are frequently drowning in swollen rivers, canals, ponds, ditches and other water bodies while playing nearby. Research show that the main reason young children drown is a lack of supervision. Children rush into water in excitement without knowing how to swim or how to survive if they get into trouble. Often, people's perception about drowning is that it is a natural phenomenon. The drowning of children is something that we can all prevent by ensuring that children are under constant supervision near water. Superstition needs change in regards to the death of children from drowning. Proper knowledge and parental attention, together with effective social and family security, should be included in the necessary measures that can stop such unnecessary deaths.
Toufik Ahmed
Department of International Relations,
Rajshahi University
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