DOH says no more shame campaign for firecracker victims

The use of powerful or banned firecrackers and improper handling of regulated pyrotechnic products have led to injuries during the New Year revelry. —WILLIE LOMIBAO

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Luzon is not keen on joining a campaign that would shame local governments with high incidence of firecracker-related injuries.

“What we are going to do is locate local governments with zero casualty. We are out to [show] the good news. We need models of effective local regulation,” Dr. Jessie Fantone, head of the regional epidemiology center, said on Wednesday.

At least 363 public and private hospitals involved in monitoring occurrences of infectious diseases in the region have been tapped to report injuries from firecrackers, pyrotechnic products and indiscriminate firing from Dec. 22 to Jan. 6, Fantone said.

“Since the first week of December, we have readied fluids, antibiotics, antitetanus shots and blood,” he said. “What we don’t have are spare eyes and fingers.”

From Dec. 21, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015, injuries in the region surged to 559 patients, which surpassed by 12 percent the 499 cases recorded in 2013.

At least 170 victims were children, aged 1 to 10, while 221 victims were between 11 and 20 years old. Forty victims suffered eye injuries, 499 endured burns while 20 others underwent amputation of fingers, hands or feet.

Indiscriminate firing wounded 5 people, aged 6 to 66.

The highest number of injuries, at 129, was recorded in Bulacan province where local and China-made firecrackers were sold. Pampanga recorded 124 injuries; Tarlac, 105; Nueva Ecija, 90; Bataan, 67; Zambales 39; and Aurora, 10. —TONETTE OREJAS