• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Health (DOH) logged 28 cases of fireworks-related injuries in Western Visayas from Dec. 21 to 27, which is seven percent lower, compared to last year.
Eleven cases were reported from Dec. 26 to 27 alone, according to the DOH report.
The injuries were mostly blast, burn and eye injury, and the majority of the patients were in the 1 to 10 and 11 to 20 age-groups.
Of the injuries, nine cases were caused by “boga” (homemade cannon) and one each for “5-star” and other cases while there were no reported cases of fireworks ingestion.
DOH-6 has not recorded any stray bullet injury, based on reports from four sentinel hospitals, including Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City; Western Visayas Medical Center and Iloilo Mission Hospital in Iloilo City; and Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, as well as from all health facilities in other provinces in Western Visayas.
Dr. Fritzi Ann Suzette Jeroso-Dequito, head of DOH-6 Health Promotion Unit, reminded the public to be mindful of the dangers posed by fireworks through the agency’s “Iwas Paputok” and “Ligtas Christmas Para sa Healthy Pilipinas 2023” campaign.
“As we approach the new year and continue with the festivities, it is important to note any lingering danger that may be caused by fireworks,” she said in a virtual press conference. | GB
