Nghe An: Strengthening coordination of activities to prevent and combat drowning in children

On the morning of December 23, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghe An held a conference to summarize and report on the implementation results.The project supports the implementation of effective and sustainable interventions to prevent and combat drowning.Children of Nghe An province in 2022.

Overview of the conference to summarize and report on the implementation results of the Project to support the implementation of effective and sustainable interventions to prevent and combat child drowning in Nghe An province in 2022. Photo: Minh Quan

Attending were representatives of the leaders of the Departments of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Education and Training, Culture and Sports, and Provincial Youth Union.

From 2021-2023, with the attention of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Central Project Management Board for Drowning Prevention, Nghe An province is one of 12 provinces and cities supported to implement the project in 12 communes in 3 districts of Dien Chau, Yen Thanh and Quynh Luu.

Mr. Doan Hong Vu - Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs spoke at the Conference. Photo: Minh Quan

According to the report of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in 2022, although the project's activity plan content has changed a lot compared to the original plan (due to adjustments by the sponsor), the project implementation time in the province is short, the weather is harsh, there are many storms, affecting the swimming teaching schedule for children, the project implementation progress in the locality has been 100% completed, ensuring the quality and quantity set out.

Specifically, 70 swimming classes were organized with more than 1,400 children, achieving 100% of the plan; direct training was organized to raise awareness of child drowning prevention in the community for 1,800 subjects.are preschool teachers, commune officials, representatives of parents, grandparents of children under 15 years old; organized 48 training classes, taught skills and safety in the water environment for 2,400 children under 15 years old in project communes...

A swimming class for children in Quynh Luu district - one of three districts in Nghe An province selected to implement the project. Photo: Minh Quan

However, despite implementing many solutions, the situation of child drowning in the province remains high. Specifically, as of December 20, 2022, there were 38 cases/48 children who died from child drowning in the province, a decrease of 22% in drowning cases, a decrease of nearly 10% in the number of children who died from drowning compared to 2021 (49 cases/52 children died).

At the Conference, leaders of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs requested the Department of Education and Training; Department of Culture and Sports, and the Provincial Youth Union to actively deploy activities to prevent and combat child drowning in the province in general, and project districts and communes in particular, strengthen coordination in student management during the summer, coordinate propaganda and environmental improvement to prevent and combat child drowning.

In addition, the annual budget allocation has organized training on drowning prevention for teachers and students at each level; organized swimming competitions for students, thereby improving the quality of swimming movement in schools; mobilized social resources to invest in building swimming pools in schools.

Localities implement projects to review and renovate areas at risk of drowning for children to install prohibition signs, warning signs, and manhole covers; strengthen communication activities on preventing and combating child drowning in the district in general and project communes in particular, especially during summer, rain, and floods...