Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Drowning prevention gains momentum as WHO launches PROTECT

The World Health Organization unveiled PROTECT, a seven‑pillar technical package to prevent drowning, focusing on safer water infrastructure, rescue and resuscitation, occupational safety, stronger water transport standards, swimming and water safety education, child protection, and flood and emergency preparedness, with Ghana highlighted as the launch site ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day. The plan targets roughly 300,000 drowning deaths annually—predominantly in low‑ and middle‑income countries—and follows a global strategy to cut deaths by a substantial margin by 2035 amid rising climate-related risks, calling for cross‑sector action by governments and partners.