National strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injury launched

The Union Health Ministry has launched a National Strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injury that calls for a review and strengthening of India’s injury prevention laws, prioritising enforcement and enacting new legislation, as needed. It also calls for allocation of dedicated and sustainable funding for injury prevention initiatives across various levels.

The roadmap laid out in the document aims to reduce the burden of road traffic injuries, drowning, burns, and falls from heights and focuses on three vulnerable population groups: workers, children, and older people. It also emphasises state-level focus, recognizing the importance of tailoring interventions to specific regional contexts.

It is estimated that in 2022 alone, 4,30,504 lives were lost in India due to accidental and avoidable causes. Road traffic accidents accounted for 45.1% of these deaths, followed by drowning (8.9%), falls of all types (5.5%), poisoning (5%) and burns (4.7%). Over half of Indian States and Union Territories had accidental death rates exceeding the national average of 31.2 per 100,000 population.

"The strategy provides technical guidance and targeted action plans, empowering diverse stakeholders to take ownership of injury prevention efforts," Atul Goel, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said.

The strategy document provides a comprehensive overview of unintentional injuries in India, examining trends, risk factors, gaps, and challenges. It also delves into state-specific data on injury and death rates, offering insights into the unique circumstances faced by different regions. A national strategy for injury prevention is outlined, emphasizing evidence-informed interventions based on a safe system approach tailored to the Indian context. This strategy aims to guide stakeholders across sectors and levels in collaborative efforts to reduce injuries and their associated consequences. Strong advocacy, robust surveillance systems, and capacity building at various levels are crucial components of this strategy.

The strategy is expected to empower public health officials, educators, community leaders and individual citizens to develop and implement effective interventions.

Commissioned by the ministry, the document was prepared by The George Institute for Global Health with technical support from the World Health Organisation. It was launched at the ongoing 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024) in New Delhi.