Hospitals on 'red alert' for firecracker-related injuries —PHAPI exec

Hospitals are on “red alert” for possible firecracker-related injuries amid the New Year celebration, an official of the Private Hospitals Associations of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said Wednesday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, PHAPI president Dr. Jose de Grano said their members are prepared for any eventualities during the New Year revelry.

“Halos lahat naman talaga ng hospital, kumbaga mati-term natin na naka-red alert at handa po sila sa kung ano man ang mangyayari,” he said.

(Almost all hospitals we can say are on red alert and prepared for any eventualities)

Expecting a strict enforcement of ordinances against illegal firecrackers, De Grano said they are hoping that there would be only a few cases of injuries this year.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 23 firecracker-related injuries involving "boga," 5 star, piccolo, triangle, whistle bomb, baby rocket, and other unlabeled or imported firecrackers.

These patients were injured on hand, head, eye, neck, chest, thigh, and foot.  —KBK, GMA News