Medical Doctor Tristan Jediah Labitad (left) explaining how to stay healthy and safe in celebrating Christmas and New Year in a forum at SM Uptown mall, Cagayan de Oro City on December 20, 2024 as representatives of the Police Regional Office 10, Bureau of Fire Protection and host from Philippine Information Agency-10 listen. PIA-10 photo
MindanaoToday.com | Firecrackers, boga hurt 34 in Normin
By: Uriel Quilinguing
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Health in Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) has tallied 34 cases of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) during the Christmas and New Year revelries in the region, as of Tuesday, January 2, this year.
Jasper Kent Ola, head of the DOH-10 Research, Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU), said this year’s total count of FWRIs is a 2.86-percent drop from 37 that were logged for the same period last year.
Ola said these FWRIs were caused by firecrackers Piccolo, Triangle, Whistle Bomb, Kwitis, and boga which refers to bamboo and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe cannons which were listed under ‘Others’ and ‘Unknown’ in the RESDRU report.
Surveillance period for FWRI cases in DOH-managed medical facilities dubbed as “sentinel sites” and other public and private hospitals started on December 21 and to end on January 6, this year to include delayed field reports.
The Code White Alert, however, was in effect as early as December 16 and would be lifted on Monday, January 6. This directed all medical professionals and hospital staff to be ready 24/7 to render services if necessary.
Medical Doctor Tristan Jediah Labitad, who heads the DOH-10 non-communicable disease and on health education and promotions cluster, said they still monitor cases of FWRI-related tetanus until January 21, although the Code White Alert would be lifted on January 6.
Labitad said those hurt by boga are still being verified.
Eight of FWRI patients had eye injuries while the rest of burns and injuries mostly on parts of the hand and face. “One of the patients nearly lost a finger through amputation,” said Ola in a New Year’s eve broadcast interview.
He said two of those who had burns were due to “boga,” an improvised noise-maker make of bamboo or PVC pipe which should have been confiscated by authorities, particularly by “barangay ronda tanod” members.
Four of the patients were brought to the state-owned apex hospital, the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in this city. Elsewhere, seven individuals were treated at the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City, six at the Don Carlos Doctors Hospital in Bukidnon, while others to 12 medical facilities across Northern Mindanao.
These FWRI cases were recorded in Bukidnon 12, Misamis Occidental 10, Cagayan de Oro 4, Lanao del Norte 3, Misamis Oriental 3, and Iligan 2. There was no report from the province of Camiguin.
The RESDRU head said the region is fortunate there was no case of amputation, zero fatality, and no reported stray bullet, unlike last year when one sustained a gunshot wound.
Ola said records would show the victims are 7 to 14 years old, hence they are under the responsibility of their parents who should have warned them of the dangers of lighting firecrackers and bamboo/PVC pipe bangers. [Uriel Quilinguing/MT]
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