Chief Secretary chaired a meeting at the Secretariat to review the Goa State Action Plan for Prevention of Drowning Incidents. Senior officials from various Government Departments participated in the meeting and held detailed deliberations on measures to prevent drowning related deaths and injuries across the State.
During the meeting, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material on drowning prevention, prepared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was placed before the members for detailed discussion.
The meeting extensively deliberated on key aspects of drowning prevention, including the prevention of children from drowning inside homes, safety measures for swimming pools, prevention of drowning in schools, promotion of swimming as a life-saving skill, and strategies to prevent drowning in urban and rural communities, coastal areas and water bodies. The importance of safety measures in and around water vessels, as well as the use of appropriate safety aids to prevent drowning-related deaths and injuries, was also discussed.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving all concerned Departments to strengthen awareness, preparedness and preventive measures. He stressed that public awareness is one of the most effective tools in reducing drowning incidents.
It was decided that the IEC material developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be widely circulated to create awareness among the public about drowning prevention. Departments were also advised to undertake sustained awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes, particularly in vulnerable areas, to promote water safety and encourage responsible behavior around water bodies.
