tory and pix by Chan Lilian
THE Life Saving Society Malaysia (LSSM) organised the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2015 (WCDP 2015) in Penang on Nov 5.
It attracted some 450 participants from 65 countries, all foremost experts in their own country and in their own field in drowning prevention, rescue, lifesaving, and water safety and water sports.
“This conference is an important event to the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) and to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a biennial forum for discussing drowning prevention activities on a global basis. LSSM made a bid in Potsdam, Germany, in 2013 to host WCDP 2015 in Malaysia with the hope that the conference here will establish a legacy for drowning prevention activities in our country and the region,” LSSM president Lim Chieng Cheng (pix) said in his speech at the gala dinner.
“LSSM believes that discussions at the conference will be instructive to the Malaysian Government and to regional authorities in their respective efforts to reduce drowning,” he added.
“Based on figures from the Department of Statistics, 650 to 700 people die from drowning in Malaysia every year. LSSM is hopeful that the Malaysian government will agree to coordinate drowning prevention activities in Malaysia under a national Water Safety Council that will soon be formed, comprising government authorities and NGOs,” he said.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who was at the dinner welcomed the delegates to Penang.
“In essence, we agree with the statement by LSSM that each drowning is an accident that is preventable and avoidable. We are proud to be associated with the ideals of the ILS and with the individuals within the organisation who can guide us, enlighten us and advise us regarding best practices in drowning prevention,” Lim said in his speech.
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