DOH on ‘white code’ alert as firecracker injuries soar

ANTIFIRECRACKER CAMPAIGN | The pro-environment group Ecowaste Coalition launches “Iwas Paputoxic” in Barangay Central, Quezon City, to encourage people to avoid firecrackers to usher in the New Year. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the “code white” alert in the country’s health-care system, in which hospitals are expected to beef up staff deployment and augment supplies at emergency rooms, as firecracker injuries nationwide jumped to nearly 100.

According to the DOH, the code white alert, which is the lowest of the three alert levels for emergencies and disasters, was implemented on Dec. 20 and will remain in effect until Jan. 4 next year.

“Under orders of President Marcos, the DOH and all hospitals and health facilities will be ready for all untoward incidents this Christmas and New Year season,” it said in a statement on Friday.

Under code white, public and private hospitals are ordered to constantly report and coordinate with the DOH’s operations center at the regional and national levels.

Medical procedures, such as X-ray and laboratory testing, shall be “made available without requirement for out-of-pocket by victims,” the DOH noted.

Hearing loss

The higher levels — code blue and code red — under the code alert system are declared when the country’s health-care system is put under immense strain, resulting in damage to facilities, a lack of capability to respond, and an increased number of fatalities.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman from Central Luzon who experienced hearing loss after passive exposure to “kwitis” is one of the new eight cases of injuries from firecracker use, three days before the New Year revelry.

“Fireworks can lead to hearing loss. Firework explosions result in sound levels of 140 to 150 decibels (dB), which can lead to pain and ear injury after exposure,” the DOH said in its latest bulletin on Friday.

A noise as loud as above 120 dB can already “cause immediate harm to ears,” it said. The sound level of a normal conversation is just around 60 dB.

The latest case count pushed the total to 96 people wounded by a firecracker explosion since the DOH began its surveillance on Dec. 21.

Watch fireworks display

Of the total tally, 34 percent were from Metro Manila. It was followed by Central Luzon and Ilocos region (both at 12 percent), Soccsksargen (6 percent), and Bicol and Western Visayas regions (both at 5 percent).

With only two days left before the country rings in the New Year, the DOH reminded the public that “watching community fireworks displays from a safe distance is still the best [option].”

“If you cannot avoid exposure to fireworks and their loud sounds, use hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs,” the DOH added.

It also urged people who experience any pain, ringing or buzzing in their ears to seek medical attention.