By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) for 2021 rose to 167, higher than in 2020 but lower than the five-year average, a health official reported on Monday (Jan. 3).
In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported that there are 14 additional FWRIs as of 6:00 a.m. Monday, pushing the tally to 167.
“This report is a bit higher compared to 2020 which only reported 120 cases, but 59% lower than the five-year average of 403 cases during the same time period,” Vergeire said.
The DOH data showed that 65% of the FWRIs were recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR), followed by Region 1 (Ilocos Region) at 25%, and Region 6 (Western Visayas) at 23%.
A total of 120 cases or 75% of the 167 involved are males aged 2 to 74 years-old.
Seventeen cases or 10% suffered blast or burn injuries requiring amputation, 110 or 66% had blast or burn injuries not requiring amputation, 44 or 26% had eye injuries, and four or 2% sustained multiple types of injuries.
Meantime, 75 or 45% of the cases were active users of fireworks, 99 or 54% had the injury at home, 74 or 44% on the streets, and one case in a basketball court.
Nineteen cases or 11% were suspected of being intoxicated with liquor.
There were no reports yet of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death.
The DOH noted that 50 or 82% out of the 61 sentinel hospitals have submitted an injury or zero case report before the cut-off time.
“We would like to thank our partner local government units, our centers for health development and hospitals in successfully managing and implementing our Iwas Paputok campaign for this year 2021,” Vergeire said. (PNA) -ag
