Group warns rise of asthma, other respiratory infections on New Year

A reveller sets off firecrackers as residents usher New Year in Manila in this photo taken on January 1, 2013. AFP file photo / TED ALJIBE

MANILA, Philippines – Asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases tend to spike in the weeks leading up to the New Year’s celebration, a group of private hospitals said Wednesday.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPI) president Dr. Jose de Grano said the number of reported respiratory infections usually increases due to the smoke from fireworks traditionally lit to usher in the New Year.

“Normal na talagang tumataas iyan, especially right after the festivities, iyong mga putukan po na iyan. If you will note, dumadami talaga iyong pollution because of the firecrackers, tumataas talaga,” he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

(It’s normal to see an increase, especially after the festivities and setting off firecrackers. As you will note, pollution increases because of these firecrackers.)

De Grano advised people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses to wear face masks when watching fireworks displays.

He also said that while private hospitals are already preparing to attend to an influx of firework-related injuries, the public should still refrain from using firecrackers to ensure a safer New Year celebration.

“Iwasan na po natin, kung maari, itong paputok nang sa ganoon ay hindi na ito dumagdag sa ating mga problema in the coming year. Huwag na po tayo magpaputok nang sa ganoon ay mas ligtas tayo,” De Grano said.

(If possible, let’s avoid using fireworks so we will not aggravate our problems in the coming year. Let’s not use fireworks so that we can be safer.)

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 32 fireworks-related injuries from Dec. 21 to 28, a hike from only 23 cases in the same period last year.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in a bid to reduce firecracker blast injuries, earlier discouraged the public from lighting their fireworks as he urged local government units instead to hold a fireworks display in a common area.

READ: Marcos tells LGUs to set up common areas for fireworks display 

According to the DOH, 128 firework-related injuries were recorded in 2021.

JPV/abc