DOH: Firecracker-related injuries down by 68%

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday said he is “relatively pleased” by the substantial decrease in firecracker-related injuries during the New Year festivities.

DOH recorded 191 firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2017 to January 1, 2018. This was 68 percent lower compared to the same period the previous year.

This is also 77 percent lower than the five-year average.

Majority of the cases came from the National Capital Region, which had 115 reported injuries. Of these cases, Manila has the most (63), followed by Quezon City (14), Pasig City (11) and Valenzuela City (6).

There were 15 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the Western Visayas and 13 cases each in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol region.

Health department recorded 162 cases of blast without amputation, 25 cases of eye injuries and seven cases of blast with amputation.

DOH said the government will shoulder expenses to treat firecracker-related injuries of both PhilHealth and non-PhilHealth members.

‘Piccolo’, long prohibited, remains the top cause of firecracker-related injuries with 94 cases. It was followed by ‘kwitis’ at 14, unknown firecrackers at 12, ‘fountain’ at 10 and ‘boga’ at nine cases.

READ: Piccolo is leading cause of firecracker-related injuries, says DOH

DOH, moreover, reported that there have been no deaths reported, and no cases of firecracker ingestion and stray bullet injury.

But Chief Inspector Johnny Capalos, Philippine National Police Public Safety Division assistance chief, said there has been one reported victim of stray bullet. The report came from Caloocan City.

Duque said the government’s campaign against firecrackers has reduced the number of injuries.

“The DOH is grateful for the strong cooperation of our local government units and other government agencies for this success,” he said

Duque also thanked Duterte for signing Executive Order 28, which limited the use of firecrackers in the country.