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| Leaders of the Department of Health presenting gifts to sponsors |
The conference provided an opportunity to review effective intervention models and mobilize support and partnership from organizations and stakeholders in efforts to ensure children’s safety.
During the 2024-2025 period, under the direction of Hue City People’s Committee and with the close coordination of relevant departments, sectors, and partner organizations, Child Drowning Prevention Project was implemented comprehensively and achieved many positive outcomes. Effective prevention models such as “Safe Home”, “Safe Schools”, and “Safe Communities for Injury Prevention” were scaled up across localities.
At the same time, numerous free swimming classes, first-aid and rescue training sessions, and wide-ranging communication activities were organized, helping to raise awareness and strengthen drowning prevention skills among children and the community. As a result, nearly 7,000 students and disadvantaged children were equipped with survival swimming and water safety skills. Thanks to these practical measures, the number of drowning-related deaths in the city declined significantly, with 8 cases recorded in 2025, down by 7 cases compared to 2024.
Addressing the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Kiem Hao, Director of Hue City Department of Health, emphasized that drowning is currently the leading cause of death among children in Vietnam, particularly in rural, riverside, and coastal areas. Given its geographical characteristics, marked by a dense network of rivers, lakes, ponds, and canals, and frequent exposure to storms and flooding, Hue City remains among the high-risk localities for child drowning incidents. He therefore stressed that raising community awareness and equipping children with drowning prevention skills is an urgent, ongoing, and life-saving priority.
Health sector leaders called for greater attention, stronger collaboration, and enhanced support from all levels, sectors, organizations, businesses, and individuals at home and abroad, with a focus on three key directions: developing and expanding infrastructure alongside safe swimming education programs; strengthening education, communication, and community awareness; and intensifying diverse and creative communication campaigns on drowning risks, prevention measures, and first-aid skills, reaching all segments of the population, especially in rural and riverside areas.
At the conference, participants also highlighted existing challenges and called for continued mobilization of social resources, greater investment in swimming training facilities, and strengthened communication efforts to create a safer living environment and protect children from the risk of drowning.