Odisha ranks 8th in deaths due to unintentional injuries; Reels craze blamed 

The increasing number of deaths due to unintentional injuries has been a cause of concern. When it comes to Odisha, it stands eighth in the country with unintentional injuries claiming the lives of about 46 persons per one lakh population a year.

While there are several reasons for such deaths like road accidents, drowning, fire mishaps, electrocution and falling off higher places, reckless driving and craze for Reels (short mobile videos) among youths are the two reasons that are claiming most lives. 

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Every day, over 57 people are losing their lives to unintentional injuries. This disturbing information has been shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its recently published National Strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injuries report.

As per the report, road mishap accounts for most deaths caused by unintentional injuries. Annually, road accidents are claiming the lives of 11.94 or around 12 persons per one lakh population. Similarly, every year, 2,324 people die due to falling off higher places. Drowning and fire mishaps are claiming 1960 and 1223 lives respectively every year. 

Experts blame the reckless driving and craze for reels for such deaths.

“The statistics are underreported. In fact, more deaths are occurring. The craze for reels is claiming most lives. It’s time the law enforcement departments created awareness among people,” said Dr Amrit Pattjoshi, a health expert.

As per the report, the national death average is 31.2 per one lakh which is far less than Odisha’s average of 45.6. 

While people falling in the 18 to 60 age group are becoming more victims of these unintentional injuries, only one-fourth of the people below 14 years and above 60 years are losing their lives to such injuries. 

Meanwhile, road safety experts demanded the government to come out with a white paper on this issue as the state’s average is way above the national average. 

“If no awareness drive is started and if people continue to remain ignorant, the deaths caused by unintentional injuries will increase. So, the state government should prepare a blueprint and white paper on it. Since the situation in Odisha is grim, it’s time all concerned departments came forward and took steps to avoid such deaths,” said Subrat Nanda, a road safety expert.