“Countdown” for firecracker victims begins
OPLAN: IWAS PAPUTOK
STILL more than a week from the New Year’s eve celebration and already firecracker explosions have injured two victims in the province.
Dr. Michael Canto, spokesman of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), reported that two children from Bonuan in Dagupan City were already treated for injuries they sustained from playing with piccolo firecrackers last December 21.
Canto said they are undertaking a “countdown” of firecracker victims as part of the “Oplan: Iwas Paputok” of the Department of Health, to discourage people from using firecrackers that harm or even kill as well as cause fire and damage to property.
The victim count will continue until January 1, or the second should it be necessary.
“Usually, there are more persons being hurt after the New Year revelry because of the inclination of children picking up unexploded firecrackers unwittingly and lighting these themselves,” he said.
Canto said R1MC is intensifying its information drive under “Oplan: Iwas Paputok” to again remind the public of the dangers of firecrackers and firing guns indiscriminately to welcome the New Year.
“Parents who should prevent their children from picking unexploded firecrackers after the New Year revelry,” he said.
Canto advised Pangasinenses just to clank empty tin cans or blow horns to create noise to welcome the New Year and bid the old year goodbye.
Last year, 48 victims were recorded, lower than the 69 the previous year.
He is hopeful that the number will further decrease this year with the early start of their information campaign.
“Our people should always be reminded, too, to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the Christmas holiday when there is plenty of food served in parties,” he said. “They should not overeat or drink too much liquor or wine,” he added.
Canto also asked motorists to take extra caution during the Christmas season as vehicular accidents usually increase with drunk-driving incidents.
He also said that prior to New Year’s Day, all doctors who are consultants of R1MC will be on call to beef up the regular force manning the emergency room of R1MC.—LM
Meanwhile, the City Health Office (CHO) of Dagupan is closely coordinating with R1MC and the Health Emergency Management Staff of the Center for Health Development for “Oplan Iwas Paputok.”
“We will be on duty during the holiday to attend to the victims of firecrackers and fireworks related injuries,” said City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell.
At the same time, Carbonnel laid out to the public some first aid measures that may be applied on victims.
“Washing the wound thoroughly with soap and if bleeding occurs, press it with clean cotton to stop it. Then go the nearest clinic or hospital for anti-tetanus shot,” he said.
“But the best way to avoid injury is not to light firecrackers,” he added.
A roving medical team will go around the city to assist victims during the New Year festivities and health personnel in the island barangays will be trained for first aid treatment of burns.
MEDICAL MISSION
In related news, the CHO, in coordination with the Dagupan City Fiesta 2010 executive committee, R1MC and the Pangasinan Medical Society, conducted a free medical and dental mission for Dagupan residents afflicted with different illnesses at the People’s Astrodome last December 20.
Dubbed as “Handog Pamasko: Ibalik ang Sigla at Lusog ng Dagupeño,” Carbonell said the medical mission was made part of the city fiesta celebration to ensure that every resident is healthy for the holiday and fiesta merriments.
Some 500 sick indigents from 31 barangays were given medical attention by the doctors of the city health office in addition to free medicine for the entire duration of their medication.
A dental operation and a free cholesterol and blood sugar screening was also integrated in the one day medical mission.
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