East Avenue Medical Center sees 3 fireworks-related injuries so far

The East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has seen only three fireworks-related injuries, including gunshot wounds, as of Thursday, according to a report by Victoria Tulad on Unang Balita.

All three injuries were recorded on December 25. The total number of fireworks-related injuries will not be known until the end of New Year celebrations, but the present figure is much lower than 2016’s 44 cases, said EAMC Emergency Room Head Dr. Willie Saludares.

A 22-year-old man from Caloocan got hit by bullets on the back of his neck and on his shoulder. Only the bullet on his shoulder had to be removed after doctors said the one on his nape posed no danger to his head.

It is unclear whether the man was a victim of stray bullets. He is still confined at the EAMC.

A 62-year-old man from Quezon City, meanwhile, had his finger amputated after an incident with a whistle bomb. He was the first person recorded at the hospital this year to have figured in an injurious firecracker incident.

He was treated and given medicine at the EAMC but insisted on leaving the hospital. The man signed a waiver for his discharge.

An 11-year-old boy, also from Quezon City, suffered from flame burns on the thigh because of the firecracker piccolo, one of the most common causes of firecracker-related injuries for its easy availability to children, said Saludares.

The boy has been sent home as his injury was minor.

Saludares also briefly showed surgical tools, such as a bone saw and a bone holder, used in treating fireworks-related injuries to discourage the public from attempting to launch potentially dangerous firecrackers.

“Tigilan na po natin ang pagpapaputok. Ipaubaya na lang natin sa mga professionals ang humawak ng mga paputok para ‘di tayo ma-injure,” he said.

For this year’s New Year celebrations, the Philippine National Police has designated selected public fireworks display zones in Metro Manila cities not implementing a total fireworks ban.

The EAMC is on code white, meaning all staff members are on-duty or on-call.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Department of Health has recorded 42 fireworks-related injuries as of December 27, 6 a.m. This number is lower by 51 cases than the figure from the same period in 2016. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KG, GMA News