DOH-CHD-6 reports 17 firecracker, 1 stray bullet injuries in W. Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — The Department of Health- Center for Health Development 6 (DOH-CHD 6) has recorded 17 firecracker-related injuries and one stray bullet as of yesterday since it started its monitoring December 21 in line with its Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) program.

Nine of the cases were taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC); six to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and one each to the Western Visayas Sanitarium (WVS) and San Carlos City Hospital, a PNA report stated.

Eight of the victims have ages ranging from 0 to 10 years old; six belong to the 11-20 age bracket and one each to the 21-30 years old and 41-50 age bracket.

Eight of the 17 suffered from blast/burn with no amputation; two incurred injury with amputation, four for eye injuries and two with multiple injuries.

There were four victims from bilong-bilong firecrackers, three for unidentified firecrackers; two due to piccolo and 5-star and one each for boga, pill box and whistle bomb.

A 22-year-old unidentified victim from Ajuy also suffered a gunshot wound caused by a stray bullet.

As of press time, 13 of the 15 victims brought to the CLMMRH and WVMC have been discharged from hospitals while two are still admitted.

The DOH through its APIR program has been campaigning for a zero injury this holiday season even as it advocates the use of alternative noise-causing instruments to welcome the New Year.  (FREEMAN)