More than 800 patients assisted during Traslacion 2026 —Philippine Red Cross

The Philippine Red Cross on Saturday morning said it has attended to more than 800 patients at Traslacion 2026 in Manila starting Friday morning.

"As of 7:30 a.m. on January 10, a total of 849 patients have been attended to since January 8, with 19 individuals requiring further medical care safely transported to hospitals," the PRC said in a press release.

Meanwhile, 2,204 devotees along the Traslacion route were given welfare assistance, it added.

This assistance included psychosocial first aid (83 cases), tracing (six cases), referral (38 cases), free calls (two), and food packs (2,075).

PRC secretary general Dr. Gwendolyn Pang said 413 patients were checked up and their vital signs were taken.

A total of 404 patients meanwhile were minor cases. "Mga nagalusan, nasugatan, nagkaroon ng mga tama, konting problems sa paghihinga," Pang said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(They had wounds and had some problems in breathing.)

Meanwhile, 13 were considered major cases. "Nadala po sa amin. May difficulty of breathing, pagsusuka, heavy diarrhea, dislocation of shoulders, nabali ang rib cage, nakaapak ng pako, buntis na nahilo," Pang said.

(They were brought to us. Some had difficulty of breathing, vomiting, heavy diarrhea, dislocation of shoulders, broken rib cage, wound from stepping on a nail. A pregnant woman also got dizzy.)

In its update at 11 a.m., PRC said it has attended to a total of 856 patients since the start of Traslacion. 

Of this number, 415 patients had their vital signs monitored.

A total of 409 patients were treated for minor health problems such as (dizziness, minor wound, abrasion, sprain, burn, contusion, fever, laceration, open wound, punctured wound, swelling).

The major cases remained at 13 and were treated for deep laceration, headache, puncture, deformity, shortness of breath, gum bleed, pain on extremities, fracture.

Nineteen patients were transported to hospitals, the PRC said:

• Philippine General Hospital - 5 (unresponsive, severe headache, chest pain)
• Philippine Orthopedic Center- 3 (dislocation)
• Tondo Medical Center - 2 (fractured rib)
• Quirino Memorial Medical Center - 2 (fracture, knee pain) 
• Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center - 2 (dislocation)
• Valenzuela Medical Center- 1 (deformity)
• Ospital ng Maynila- 1 (pain on extremities)
• East Avenue Medical Center - 1 (pain extremities)
• Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital - 1 (fall)
• San Lazaro Hospital- 1 (laceration on eyelids)

The Traslacion, or the procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church, began at 4 a.m. Friday.

It traversed its route slowly in Manila due to the number of devotees wanting to climb up the andas or carriage bearing the image.

The Traslacion ended at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, for a total procession time of 30 hours, 50 minutes, and 1 second, Quiapo Church said.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon thanked the volunteers and staff for their service during Traslacion 2026.

“To our volunteers and staff who continue to give their strength, time, and compassion in the service of humanity, I salute you,” he said. —KG, GMA Integrated News