ILOILO City – From four, fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) in Western Visayas rose to 11, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed.
Two of the cases were from sentinel hospitals while nine were from non-sentinel hospitals/sites, said Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, OIC-chief of DOH-6’s Local Health Support Division.
Seven of the cases were from Iloilo province, three from Negros Occidental and one from Bacolod City.
Sta. Lucia said the number of FWRI from Dec. 21 to 26 was higher than the seven cases recorded in the same period last year.
Most of the victims were children.
From the sentinel hospitals this year, two cases were from Iloilo province and Bacolod City and aged between one to 20 years old. One used 5-star firecracker while the other used a boga. Both were treated as hospital out-patients.
As to the victims of FWRI from non-sentinel sites, one belonged to the one to 10 age group, seven were between 11 to 20 years old and one belonged to the 41 to 50 age group.
Of the nine, six were immediately treated and sent home while the remaining three were referred to other hospitals for further treatment.
The non-sentinel hospitals with cases of FWRI were the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. District Hospital in Passi City, Sara District Hospital in Sara and Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan, all in Iloilo province; and Bago City Hospital and Binalbagan Infirmary in Negros Occidental.
DOH-6 urged the public to refrain from using firecrackers in residential areas and areas near factories with combustible materials as this is prohibited.
“DOH is advocating for alternative New Year celebrations. We could have musical instruments, sound system, cooking utensils, and other items that could create noise to celebrate the New Year merrily. Let us be safe and healthy as we celebrate the Yuletide season and New Year with 10 complete fingers,” said Sta. Lucia./PN
