The Moyna Block Administration brought together Panchayats, government departments, frontline workers and community representatives for a multi-sectoral consultation to strengthen local action on drowning preventionChild In Need Institute (CINI), with support from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), UK, provided technical inputs and shared field-level experience at the consultation held at the BDO Office Conference Hall.
“Preventing drowning and saving lives requires coordinated action at the local levelWe welcome the support of CINI and RNLI in strengthening this lifesaving initiative in MoynaThe Block Administration will continue to work with Panchayats, government departments and communities to take this effort forward,” said Jagannath Biswas, Block Development Officer, Moyna.
The urgency of the issue was reflected in two contrasting experiences shared at the meetingTwo children who had nearly drowned last week and were rescued in time attended the consultation with their motherAs the children played inside the conference hall, their mother recounted how timely intervention had brought them safely back to herLater, a grandmother who had recently lost her grandchild to drowning broke down while sharing her experienceThe accounts of survival and loss brought a human dimension to the consultation, underscoring the importance of prevention, timely rescue and lifesaving skills.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Block Administration, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayats, along with officials and frontline workers from health services, police, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), school education and other departmentsASHA workers, Civil Defence Volunteers, Child Parliament members and community representatives also participatedAmong those present were Jagannath Biswas, BDO, Moyna; Goutam Guru, Sabhapati, Panchayat Samiti; Abhijit Adhok, Zilla Parishad Member; and Dr Partha Sarathi Giri, Member, Drowning Prevention Mentoring Team, West BengalCINI’s drowning prevention team also participated in the consultation.
Prasanta Chakraborty, Additional District Magistrate (Development), Purba Medinipur, conveyed his best wishes for the initiativeAlthough he was unable to attend the consultation due to pressing official responsibilities, he expressed his interest in such drowning prevention efforts being taken forward in the district.
The consultation combined discussion with practical lifesaving demonstrationsExperts explained the physiology of drowning, why the first few minutes following rescue are critical and the importance of immediate resuscitationASHA workers demonstrated resuscitation and first aid, while Civil Defence Volunteers demonstrated safe rescue techniques.
Evidence on drowning in West Bengal and experiences from community-based prevention efforts were also sharedDiscussions focused on identifying high-risk water bodies and locations, strengthening child safety, improving rescue and resuscitation skills and increasing community awareness.
The consultation concluded with a shared understanding on strengthening local drowning prevention efforts through the existing administrative, Panchayat and community systems in MoynaAs the meeting ended, the two children rescued from drowning only days earlier were still playing inside the hall — a reminder of what timely rescue and lifesaving action can achieve.