Gov’t hospitals now on code white alert

The Department of Health (DOH) has raised a code white alert in all government hospitals across the country in light of the approaching New Year's Eve celebrations.

According to Victoria Tulad's report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali Weekend on Sunday, code white means that the full force of medical personnel, even those who were off-duty, are on-call and shall respond to health facilities if necessary.

Since December 21, the DOH has already recorded five cases of firecracker-related injuries among children.

The victims used boga, kwitis, five star and camara.

DOH Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said that more similar injuries are expected to occur as the New Year approaches.

He, however, noted that the number of firecracker-related injuries decreased last year, with only a total of 440 cases recorded compared to 2016's 600 cases.

Moreover, the DOH urged the public to just watch community fireworks displays instead of using firecrackers.

The DOH also advised that in the event of injury by firecracker, the victim should wash the wound with cold water and cover it with clean gauze before going to the hospital.

Hospitalization shall not be delayed as an anti-tetanus shot shall be immediately administered to the victim, DOH said.

People who have respiratory diseases such as asthma were advised not to go outdoors on New Year's Eve to avoid fumes from firecrackers and other pyrotechnics. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News