Hospitals to be on high alert ahead of New Year celebrations - DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday that all hospitals would be on high alert for individuals with injuries and emergencies that may occur during the New Year celebrations.

In a statement, the department said that it would monitor hospitals to ensure their readiness to attend to fireworks-related injuries and any emergencies as part of its "Iwas Paputok" campaign.

On December 29, DOH officials will visit the Las Piñas Trauma Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, and Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

On December 31, the Field Implementation and Coordination Team (FICT) officials will visit communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to ensure that families are celebrating the coming New Year safely.

Lastly, on January 1, 2023, the DOH will hold a media forum and visit hospitals in Baguio City and the surrounding areas to assess the overall situation after the New Year celebrations.

Meanwhile, the DOH strongly encouraged families and individuals to avoid buying and using fireworks and to observe professionally prepared and organized fireworks.

"Families can alternatively utilize loud noises from other sources, such as loud speakers, horns, percussion, pans, and pots, among many others, for a safer and more joyous holiday celebration," it said.

The department also called on the local government units and private sector to support the campaign to help reduce the number of fireworks-related injuries and deaths.

"The public can rest assured that the DOH will be proactively monitoring and conducting surveillance activities of the situation on the ground and in our hospitals to ensure that our health facilities are supported in any way or form in combating physical injuries, diseases, COVID-19, and any form of health emergency," the department said.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News