(UPDATE) Region-12 firecracker related injury rises to 63
Local News • 22:59 PM Thu Dec 31, 2015
2,479
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
(For illustration purposes only)
COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Health
in Central Mindanao today reported 63 cases of firecracker and fireworks
related injuries as of Friday morning, January 1.
Jenny Ventura, DOH-12 focal person on DOH-12’s Iwas
Paputok” campaign, said the number was 28 percent lower as compared to the same
period last year or during the run-up of the New Year’s revelry.
The latest victim, five of them, were from Gen. Santos with three and one each from Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.Ventura said DOH-12 monitoring covered the period from Dec. 21, 2015to January 5, 2016. Piccolo, a band firecracker, remained as the primary culprit.Based on DOH-12 Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance
System (ONEISS), victims of firecracker accidents has been rising despite
repeated reminders and appeals from local health officials and police authorities.
Region 12 is composed of the provinces of North
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and South Cotabato and the cities of
Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos. It is now known as SOCCSKSARGEN region.
Ventura said South Cotabato has the highest number
of injuries so far with 23 cases reported since December 20 this year. North Cotabato came in second with 16, Sultan
Kudarat five and Saranggani three.
Cotabato City has eight cases while Gen. Santos
City has eight.
No death as a result of firecracker injuries or
stray bullets has been reported,” Ventura said.
Of the region-wide 63 injury cases reported, four
were female, the rest males, she said. The victims age ranged from 7 years old
to 41 years old.
Ventura said 52 of the victims were active reveller
or they were the ones who set off the firecracker and eventually got
injured. Six victims were passive
players or spectators hit by firecrackers set off by someone else.
Ventura also said that 36 of the cases happened at victims’
homes while 15 victims were injured during street parties.
Based on ONEISS, Ventura said, piccolo was the most
common injury causing firecrackers among the victims.
and//www.ndbcnews.com.ph/uploads/1420080483_64807091.jpg 52 cases or 90 percent were due to piccolo
explosion,” Ventura said, adding that one was reported to have been hit by kwitis,”
another by Roman candle” and one by baby rocket.”
A boy was also hit by jolin gun” (home-made gun
with marble as bullets).
Ventura said 54 of the victims were sent home
while four others remained confined in the hospital, one of whom had amputated
thumb in Amas provincial hospital in Kidapawan City due to firecracker explosion.
Ventura added that three children sustained eye
injuries due to piccolo.
I hope the number will no longer increase as we
welcome the New Year,” Ventura said. We are yet to receive reports on victims of stray bullet, I hope there is none, Ventura said on New Year's Day.