Firecracker injuries up in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — While everyone was joyous in welcoming the New Year, some were not as lucky.

Firecracker blast injured at least 60 individuals in Central Visayas, 50 of them are from Cebu, during the weeklong holiday celebration, said the regional Department of Health (DOH) office on Wednesday.

While the national cases of firecracker-related injuries may have dwindled, it was a different story, however, for Central Visayas.

Cases from amputations to eye injuries and stray bullets have increased year on year.

DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas said the surveillance team counted at least 60 firecracker-related injuries reported from the different medical facilities since December until January 2.

"We have a total of 60 firecrackers-related injuries from all hospitals, both private and public in Region 7. It is 11 percent higher compared to the same period last year," he told The FREEMAN via text message.

Bernadas said the 46 patients were already treated and advised to return home.

He added six individuals are still admitted at the hospitals while four of the injured refused to be sent to the medical facility; others with mild cases resorted to home medication.

Bernadas also said majority of the cases were recorded from Cebu province with 50 cases. Bohol had six patients, Negros Oriental had five, while there was one reported in Siquijor.

Despite the massive information campaign of the health department on the harmful effects of firecracker use, many still risk of using these prohibited items.

Doctors observed that eight of the patients or firecracker users were either drunk or under the influence of alcohol.

Of the 60 cases, Bernadas said 39 of the patients were just victims or got injured because they happen to be nearby when the firecrackers or fireworks blasted.

At least four got hit from a stray bullet but survived, according to DOH-7 data.

Bernadas said four persons got amputated, while 43 suffered from burns; nine patients reportedly ended with an eye injury.

Many still used the prohibited firecrackers such as kwitis, piccolo, triangle, Judas belt, hotdog, and labintador.

Since dangerous firecrackers had been prohibited, DOH-7 campaigned for community-based fireworks display to further minimize the risks caused by firecracker use.

He said a two-year-old baby was the youngest patient that was reported to them.

DOH-7 earlier warned that common to the firecracker-related cases belong to the children age group.

In Cebu City, it was a “peaceful” celebration of welcoming the New Year as the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) has recorded only four injuries due to firecrackers.

CCMC Hospital Administrator Kenneth Siasar said the four incidents happened on the New Year’s Eve.

“From December 23 to January 1, victims of firecrackers 23 all in all,” Siasar said in a text message.

Last year, Siasar said the hospital recorded only 17 injuries from December 23 to January 1.

Aside from the firecracker-related injuries, Councilor David Tumulak, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on peace and order, said there were also a number of vehicular accidents last Tuesday.

“Na alarma lang ta sa vehicular accidents nga nahitabo atol gyud sa bag-ong tuig.  Usa ana ang katong ga-party gyud sa dalan nga gibabag ang metal railings unya nabangga ang motor,” he said.

Tumulak said there was also an incident wherein a driver of electric bike hit a pedestrian last Tuesday.

All incidents will be prevented if public will follow traffic rules, he said.

However, he said the barangay tanods also have to ensure that they will watch over their areas of responsibility.

“Mohangyo sa kabarangayan nga sunod tuig, sila ang mobantay sa ilang area of responsibility. Overall, malinawon ra ang atong kasaulogan sa bag-ong tuig ug manghinaot ta nga magpadayon kini hangtod sunod nga mga buwan,” he added.  (FREEMAN)