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DOH inspects Tondo hospital readiness for New Year's Day

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

December 17, 2018, 6:33 pm

Department of Health Undersecretary and Public Health Service Team officer-in-charge Myrna Cabotaje urges the public to simply watch the fireworks display to prevent being a victim fireworks-related injuries. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

MANILA -- An official of the Department of Health (DOH) visited on Monday the Tondo Medical Center (TMC) to check its readiness to treat and manage patients of fireworks-related incidents at the turn of the year.

DOH Undersecretary and Public Health Service Team officer-in-charge Myrna Cabotaje inspected TMC's emergency room, surgical tools and medicines which will be used in treating wounds and fractured bones resulting from fireworks blasts.

"Masasabi kong handang-handa na ang Tondo Medical Center na tanggapin ang mga mapuputukan sa darating na Bagong Taon pero sana po ay walang pasiyente sapagkat gusto po natin tayo ay buo at malusog sa pagsalubong ng 2019 (I can say that the Tondo Medical Center is truly ready to receive fireworks victims this coming New Year but I hope there will be no patients because we want us [Filipinos] to be whole and healthy in 2019)," she said in a press conference after the inspection.

TMC is one of the DOH hospitals where victims of fireworks incidents in Manila area can be treated for free.

TMC Chief II Maria Isabelita Estrella noted that there is a downward trend in the number of fireworks-related cases they receive every year since 2015.

"In 2015 we have 41 cases, in 2016 we have 29 and last year, 24 cases only. Hopefully it would be a lot lower this year. There were just minor injuries meaning simple disinfecting and binding of wounds. With regard to the watusi ingestion and stray bullet incidents, we haven't received such cases in three years already," she said.

Apart from patients or residents from Tondo area, TMC also receives and treats fireworks victims from Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas.

"Actually, some from Valenzuela also go to this hospital for treatment but only a few since they also have Valenzuela Medical Center which is another DOH hospital," she said.

DOH National Capital Region Center for Health Development Director IV Corazon Flores, who was also present at the press briefing, said the down trend in the fireworks-related incidents could be attributed to the joint effort of different government agencies.

"We remind everybody just to watch the community fireworks display so we'll stay healthy this season. Let's not use illegal fireworks and not pick up fireworks which did not explode," she said.

Flores told Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the fireworks-related injuries for 2017 have decreased by 27 percent compared to 2016.

"For 2016, there 633 cases nationwide. This period is from December 2016 to January 2017. For 2017, there 463 cases. This period is from December 2017 to January 2018. Manila has the highest fireworks-related injuries still with 248 cases for 2017," she added.

In cases where fireworks victims are unable to reach the hospital right away, Cabotaje advised the public to quickly wash the affected area or body part with clean water.

"Halimbawa, napuntahan ng paputok sa mata, hugasan agad, o kahit anong bahagi ng katawan. Kelangan maipa-check din agad sa tetanus pero simula 2014 wala naman nang naitalang kaso ng tetanus (For example, the fireworks got into the eyes, or whichever body part, wash them right away. They must be checked for tetanus but since 2014 there are no more tetanus cases reported)", she said.

Cabotaje also warned the public against the use of illegal fireworks like watusi, piccolo, Goodbye Philippines, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle and the large Judas' Belt. (PNA)

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