Hospitals mobilized ahead of New Year celebrations

All hospitals, particularly emergency rooms (ERs), have been mobilized by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ahead of New Year celebrations, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.

“Alam natin na sa pagsalubong ng bagong taon, ang trend po natin talaga ay maraming napupunta sa ospital because of injuries, especially for firecrackers,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a Balitanghali interview.

(We know that during the New Year's Eve celebrations, many people visit hospitals with injuries, particularly from firecrackers.)

The Private Hospitals Associations of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) on Wednesday also said that hospitals are on "red alert" for possible firecracker-related injuries.

In its report, the DOH said that injuries related to fireworks increased by 108% with 25 reported cases from December 21 to 29 compared to only 12 cases in the same period in 2020.

Seven cases had high blast or burn injury that required amputation, 13 cases had blast or burn injury that did not require amputation, six cases had an eye injury and four sustained multiple types of injuries, the DOH said. Fifteen were active users.

“Pero ‘pag kinumpara naman natin sa five-year trend natin, in the previous years, we were reporting almost 100 cases or more than 100 cases in a day for these New Year celebrations. Ngayon, nasa 25 lang tayo,” Vergeire said.

(But if we compare this to our five-year trend, we were reporting almost 100 cases, or more than 100 cases in a day for these New Year celebrations. Now, we’re only at 25.)

Vergeire reminded the public to welcome the New Year safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The DOH advises the public to put safety first and use alternatives to fireworks such as noise and light-producing devices like sound systems, bells, pans, or tambourines in order to prevent debilitating and life-threatening injuries," it said in a statement.

"The public may also opt to participate in community fireworks displays following minimum health protocols to prevent possible superspreader events for COVID-19."

The DOH also asked people to eat healthy food during the holiday season. 

“Yung mga healthy na pagkain ang ating kainin para hindi naman tayo magkaroon ng karagdagang sakit especially this coming 2022,” Vergeire said.

(Let’s only eat healthy food so we won’t have additional illnesses, especially this coming 2022.) — Giselle Ombay/VBL, GMA News