DHAKA: About 18,000 children, more often than not from one year to four years old, drown each year.

The children are considered among 30,000 premature deaths in the country.

A recent research conducted by Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) and International Drowning Research Centre-Bangladesh (IDRC-B) unearthed the matter.

IDRCB conducted the research on 820,000 people from 171,000 households covering 12 districts in the country.

According to the research findings, at least 50 children drown every day in the country.

The research also said 80 percent children drown in the rainy season. Most of the children drown from 9:00am to 1:00pm when parents remain busy in their household chores and siblings, if there is any, stay at schools or colleges.

CIPRB director Dr Aminur Rahman told banglanews that there was not any research to find out reasons of drowning.

He further said most of the children drown during staying alone. However, the drowning rate can be decreased by looking after them a bit more carefully from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Dr Aminur Rahman also said learning how to swim can save the lives of around 86 percent people.

He also said that he is in favor of teaching swim compulsory for all four years old children.

BDST: 1927 HRS, MAY 16, 2015
SR/RR/SMS