Nghe An will increase swimming lessons to reduce drowning accidents with children.

On May 11, the inspection team to assess the implementation of drowning prevention and control work had a working session in Nghe An province. The team was led by Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha - Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.

Attending the meeting, on behalf of Nghe An province, there was comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Working session scene. Photo: Tien Hung

Nghe An has 875,825 children, of which the number of children in particularly difficult circumstances is high, accounting for 16% of the child population. However, according to statistics, only about 29,000 children in the area know how to swim. Nghe An has many canals, ponds, and lakes in residential areas; the climate and weather are harsh, with unpredictable rain, floods, and heat. Meanwhile, the conditions of facilities, especially swimming pools, are still low compared to the requirements of tasks and social reality (the whole province has only 127 swimming pools). The number of children who are taught water safety skills and swimming is still limited.
From 2020 to April 30, 2022, the whole province had 109 cases, 122 children died due to drowning. Specifically: In 2020, there were 52 drowning cases, 56 children died; in 2021, there were 49 cases, 52 children died (3 cases, 4 children died less than in 2020). In the first 4 months of 2022, there were 8 drowning cases, 14 children died.

Nghe An has only about 29,000 children who know how to swim. Photo courtesy

Speaking at the meeting, comrade Bui Dinh Long said that the problem of drowning in children has recently been put at the top of the list of priorities in the direction and leadership of the Party Committee and the government of Nghe An. The determination and timeliness are demonstrated by the directives of the Provincial Party Committee and dozens of directives from the Provincial People's Committee. Not to mention that all departments and branches have action programs... However, the results have not been as expected, due to many reasons. "To reduce heartbreaking accidents, children must first know how to swim. Although some cases know how to swim but still have drowning accidents, this rate is very low. Therefore, we must invest in how to increase the rate of students who know how to swim safely," said comrade Bui Dinh Long.

The number of smart swimming pools in Nghe An is still too small. Photo: TL

To minimize this situation, Nghe An province leaders proposed that the Government direct localities to arrange staff to work with children at the commune level. Direct the Education and Training sector to introduce swimming into schools at preschool, primary and secondary levels. Issue mechanisms and policies on resource investment, socialize construction and have specific regulations on the operation of swimming pools at educational institutions and localities, with priority given to particularly disadvantaged communes and mountainous communes.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha acknowledged the efforts and solutions to prevent and combat drowning that Nghe An province has implemented in recent times. The consequences were promptly overcome, warning work was given attention and implemented well to prevent, warn and overcome.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Ha hopes that in the coming time, the Party Committee and the government of Nghe An will continue to pay more attention and promote the responsibility of the leaders. Strengthen propaganda to change awareness, care right from within the family and have the participation of social organizations. At the same time, mobilize resources from the people and the business community, promote socialization to build mobile swimming pools, smart swimming pools, strive to have 20% of schools have swimming pools in the next 5 years. "In addition to swimming, it is necessary to pay special attention to survival skills, life skills, self-protection skills and friends protection, from family, school...", the Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs emphasized, at the same time accepting the recommendations and proposals of Nghe An province to report to the Prime Minister and work with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.