Ospital ng Palawan raises Code White alert

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 29 (PIA) -- Ospital ng Palawan, a DOH-run hospital, has raised Code White alert in preparation for the firecracker-related injuries that may happen during the merrymaking for the New Year.

In an interview with Jabbar Sultan, nurse in-charge of the hospital’s emergency preparedness and focal person for the Department of Health’s Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) program, said the alert ensures adequate medical personnel, facilities and medicines are readily available for emergencies.

He said that in preparation for emergencies, the hospital has already deployed additional nurses to the emergency rooms, and has stocked supplies and medicines particularly anti-tetanus vaccines.

He said the hospital is continuously undertaking its APIR campaign to reduce firecracker-related injuries mostly caused by indiscriminate use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

In a related development, the City Health Office (CHO) is strongly supporting the APIR campaign of the DOH and has conducted its information drive days before Christmas holidays.

Dr. Dean Palanca said children of all ages should not be allowed to use any type of firecrackers because these are extremely dangerous and hazardous to them.

He called on parents to be very watchful of their children and adults who will use firecrackers and pyrotechnics to be “responsible” as it may hit other people. He added that some of the victims of firecracker injuries were passers-by or just bystanders watching. He also said that the Kilos Agad Action Center of the city government will be assisting the City Health Office in responding to any health/medical emergencies on New Year’s eve.

The APIR campaign reminds the public on how to prevent harm and injury. These five reminders are: 1) mapanganib ang paggamit ng paputok (fireworks cause injuries and endanger health); 2) lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata (children should not use any fireworks); 3) umiwas sa mga taong nagpapaputok (keep safe and away from exploding fireworks); 4)Huwag mamulot ng mga di sumabog na paputok (never pick used fireworks); and, 5) Magpagamot kaagad kapag naputukan(seek immediate medical treatment for all firework injuries). (LBR/VSM/PIA-Palawan)

by Vicky S. Mendoza