Firecracker-related injuries treated at EAMC rises to 21

MANILA, Philippines — Firecracker and fireworks-related injuries treated at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) rose from 12 to 21 as the hospital marked New Year’s Day.

EAMC Spokesperson Dr. John Paul Ner said five of the 21 victims required hospitalization due to the severity of their injuries.

“Yung dalawa po doon involved po na injured ‘yung kanilang kamay, na kinailangan maputol ‘yung parte ng kanilang kamay. Tapos ‘yung isa po doon ay nasabugan po ng whistle bomb. Tinamaan po yung katawan niya so kailangan po maoperahan ‘yung pasyente,” Ner explained in a Teleradyo interview.

(Two of them sustained hand  injuries which required amputation of a part of their hand. Another individual was had a body injury due to a whistle bomb explosion, which required surgery.)

Ner likewise noted that EAMC will monitor  injuries from December 21 to January 6.

Ner said that the number of firecracker and fireworks – related injuries treated at EAMC last year was 24, which may be exceeded this year.

Article continues after this advertisement “Pero ito po January 1 pa lang tayo, meron na po kaming 21 cases. So there are still five days left sa monitoring period, and pwede madagdagan pa ‘yung mga cases na makikita namin. Kaya we’re expecting na baka mahigitan pa po ‘yung number of cases compared to last year,” he underscored.

(But as of January 1, we already have 21 cases. There are still five days left in the monitoring period, and the number of cases we could still increase. That’s why we’re expecting that the number of cases this year might surpass last year’s.)

Article continues after this advertisement He added that the youngest victim reported so far is eight years old, who was injured by an unknown firecracker.

“Unknown na firecracker po yung nag-cause ng injury,” Ner said.

(The injury was caused by an unknown firecracker.)

No firecracker or fireworks-related fatality has so far been recorded at EAMC.

In response to the rising number of injuries, Ner emphasized that the hospital remains prepared for a possible surge in patients in the coming days.

“Yung preparation ng East Avenue Medical Center ay nananatili pa rin po sa level na kagaya nung pagsalubong sa bagong taon. Para if ever may mga cases pa na dumagdag, immediately nabibigyan sila ng atensyon. Hanggang sa matapos ang monitoring period, ‘yung paghahanda po namin during the Christmas campaign na andyan pa po,” Nre said.

(The preparation of East Avenue Medical Center remains at the same level as during the New Year celebration. This ensures that if additional cases arise, they can be attended to immediately. The hospital’s readiness during the Christmas campaign will continue until the monitoring period ends.)