Caloocan hospital ready for injured on New Year’s Eve

WE’RE ready.

Officials of a public hospital in Caloocan City on Tuesday assured residents that everything was in place for the expected increase in the number of firecracker victims during the New Year revelry.

“We have already assigned additional personnel who will be working starting December 31,” Jocelyn Galiza, a medical officer of President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center, told the Inquirer.

In her department, for example, Galiza said that a total of eight nurses would be working the night shift, two more than the usual number deployed on an ordinary day.

“One group of six nurses will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We have added two more nurses who will be on duty from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to attend to patients who are expected to come, especially [on] the night of December 31,” she added.

To treat those in need for surgery, three doctors will go on duty for 24 hours.

On a regular day, only one surgeon handles the 24-hour shift, according to Galiza.

“The three surgeons are aside from the others who are also on call,” she said.

The hospital on A. Mabini Street has also stocked up on medical supplies, Ederina Buan, administration officer, told the Inquirer.

According to her, management has added more than 20 units of each medical essential, including band-aids, gauzes, ointments and injectable medicines.

Galiza added that overall, the medical supplies were more than enough to take care of the needs of between 100 and 150 patients.

“In the period from December 21 to January 5, we expect only 50 to 60 patients. But of course, we have to have additional supplies just in case the number of (patients) eventually exceeds our expectations,” she said.

At press time, the hospital has recorded two cases of holiday revelry-related injuries.

On Saturday, two young girls were rushed to the emergency room after they were hit by stray bullets.

KC Reynalene Lara, 9, and Sweet Charlone Subron, 11, were discharged after they received treatment.

Firecracker zones

Meanwhile, Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri said Tuesday that he would designate several areas throughout the city where residents would be allowed to watch or light firecrackers to prevent injuries or deaths due to the use of pyrotechnics.

“Those caught lighting firecrackers in non-firecracker zones will be apprehended and penalized accordingly,” he added.

In previous years, it was the Caloocan City police, members of the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management and barangay (village) officials who strictly enforced Echiverri’s directive.

This year, the officials of each of the city’s 188 barangays will be in charge of making sure that the mayor’s order will be properly implemented.

According to the mayor, each barangay will have a designated firecracker zone that will be picked based on already-established safety standards.