Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday exhorted the public to be responsible citizens and do their part in the campaign to prevent injuries, especially among children, during Christmas and in welcoming the new year.
Duque called on all parents to be watchful and ensure their children do not use exploding firecrackers such as “piccolo” and “kwitis” (small rockets) all throughout the season.
He reminded them to carefully guide their children during the New Year festivities, and prevent a trip to the emergency room. He suggested that families could join community fireworks displays instead of using fireworks themselves.
Duque stressed that the Department of Health is earnestly reminding everyone to prioritize safety, as “we celebrate the merriest time of the year by not using harmful explosives.”
“Let us join the community fireworks display with our family and friends instead of risking our lives and limbs,” he said.
Duque and other health officials on Monday inspected the Rizal Memorial Medical Center and other hospitals to check if these facilities were prepared to receive and treat firecracker injuries.
It was reported that these hospitals have stocked up on anti-tetanus medicines and firecracker-injury basics, such as raw eggs. Care packs with medical supplies, which firecracker victims can use to treat wounds at home, had also been prepared.
This is in consonance with the DOH’s zero firecracker-related injuries guidelines.
Hospitals will be put on Code White during the New Year, with hospital staff, especially surgical ward residents, on hand to tend to victims.
The health chief noted that the preparedness of all hospitals to attend to victims of fireworks injuries during the Yuletide season is very important.
Health Undersecretary Geraldo Bayugo expressed hope that Executive Order No. 28, which restricted fireworks use to community events, would reduce the number of New Year’s injuries.
In a statement on Monday, the department said the 2016 DOH Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) program had reduced firecracker injuries by 31 percent compared to the previous year.
Of the 630 firecracker injuries during the 2016 New Year’s celebrations, 29 percent or 181 cases were on minors aged 10 to 14, who were injured by the illegal firecrackers piccolo and “kwitis.”