DOH reports 8 injured by fireworks on New Year's Eve; total now 115

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, New Year’s Eve, logged an additional eight cases of firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total number of victims this holiday season to 115.

Six of these new cases occurred at home and on the streets, with the two others incurred injuries at designated areas, DOH’s surveillance report from 6 a.m. of December 30 to 5:59 a.m. of December 31 showed.

Five of them were also hurt due to illegal fireworks, while seven cases had active involvement in using the fireworks.

The ages of the new victims which were all males ranged from 4 to 37, with a median age of 12.

This batch included the amputation case of a 4-year-old boy from Central Luzon who lost all five fingers on his right hand due to an illegal firework called “Dart Bomb” which he lit at home.

The DOH said the child’s neck was also injured due to the illegal firework.

“Nagtamo ng sugat sa bandang leeg. Naubos lahat ng daliri ng bata sa kaniyang kanang kamay,” Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(A wound was reported on the neck. All the fingers in the right hand were also amputated.)

“The DOH is seriously concerned how such deadly and illegal fireworks like dart bombs are able to reach the hands of young children,” he added.

The agency also reported no additional reports of ingestion from any victims.

A total of 115 fireworks-related injuries have been reported so far before the year 2024 arrives.

Almost four out of every 10 cases came from the National Capital Region at 44.

This was followed by the Central Luzon and Ilocos Region with 13 cases each, Soccsksargen with 9 cases, Calabarzon with 6 cases, Cagayan Valley with 5 cases, Bicol Region with 5 cases, and Western Visayas with 5 cases.

Davao Region has the fewest cases, with only one reported so far, said DOH.

Ninety six percent of the overall injuries also happened at home and in the streets, mostly by males with active involvement.

The top identified fireworks that caused most injuries were Boga, 5-Star, Kwitis, Piccolo, Luces, Pla-Pla, and Whistle Bomb.

Illegal fireworks caused about six out of every ten cases of firecracker-related injuries.

At a press conference, Tayag said that in 2022, there were 307 injuries recorded—306 were caused by fireworks, and one due to stray bullets.

In 2021, there were 189 injuries registered.

“‘Yung 189 ay meron tayong pandemic at meron tayong mga lockdowns or restrictions. ‘Yung pagtaas nung sumunod na taon, ‘yung 307, ay nagbadya na lumuwag na ang restrictions,” Tayag said.

(The 189 injuries happened at the height of the pandemic when we had lockdowns or restrictions. The increase to 307 in the following year signaled that the restrictions had already been eased.)

Hospitals have since been placed on New Year’s Eve alert, but the DOH has since clarified that facilities are still available to cater to all kinds of patients.

“Di lang naputukan (ang) maaring dalhin sa hospital… Ang pag-inom ng alak at pagmamaneho, ‘yan magnet sa mga aksidente na maari namang maiwasan,” Tayag said.

(Not only those injured by firecrackers are those allowed to be brought to the hospital… drinking and driving are also magnets for accidents that are avoidable).

Community fireworks display

Metro Manila Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Aleli Sudiacal said the following areas in NCR will be holding fireworks displays on Sunday night which could be enjoyed by the public:

• Makati City: Ayala Avenue at 6 p.m.
• Manila City: Jones Bridge
• Mandaluyong City: Greenfield District Mandaluyong at 5 p.m., and Mandaluyong City Hall at 7 p.m.
• San Juan City: Pinaglabanan Shrine at 10 p.m.
• Pasay City: SM Mall of Asia at 10 p.m.
• Quezon City Circle

The DOH has repeatedly reminded the public to let the professionals at community fireworks displays to be the ones only using firecrackers, with them only watching at a safe distance. —KG, GMA Integrated News