DOH notes 2 stray-bullet injuries week before New Year

MANILA, Philippines – A week to go before the New Year, at least two cases of stray-bullet injuries have been confirmed, health secretary Francisco Duque III said Saturday. Duque admitted being alarmed over the incident, adding it eclipsed the 58-percent drop in firecracker-related injuries so far this year. "Ito nakakaaalarma. May naulat na dalawang confirmed cases ng stray bullet injuries. Ibig sabihin, may nagpapaputok sa taas (This is alarming. We already confirmed at least two stray-bullet injuries. This means someone fired his weapon up in the air)," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He reiterated his appeal to revelers not to fire their weapons to ring in 2009. Several units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) had already started sealing the firearms of their men to make sure they do not fire their weapons indiscriminately to welcome the new year. Meanwhile, Duque noted that as of Dec. 26, the Health Department had recorded at least 41 firecracker-related injuries, which he said is 58 percent lower than the average of the last four years. Citing reports reaching him, he said the four biggest causes of firecracker-related injuries include the piccolo, kwitis, and pla-pla. "Malaking improvement ito (This is a big improvement)," he said. The Health Department has undertaken a scare campaign to discourage the lighting of firecrackers to welcome the New Year. Government hospitals had featured posters of mangled body parts caused by firecracker-related injuries. Duque said they plan to intensify the scare campaign as New Year draws closer. However, Duque reiterated his appeal to local government units to hurry up setting common firecracker zones to limit the areas where fireworks can be lighted. DOH appeal Health authorities appealed anew to gun owners over the weekend not to welcome the New Year with their weapons. Duque reminded gun owners that stray bullets can strike anyone, even if the gun is aimed upwards when fired. "Kahit pataas ang tutok ang bagsak ng bala mas malakas yan. Ang kapamilya o kapuso ang matamaan, kawawa naman (Even if you aim up when you fire your weapon, the bullet comes down and with greater force. You risk your own kin or loved ones getting injured)," he said. Duque said that while the DOH can live with revelers welcoming the New Year with fireworks in common firecracker zones, it cannot tolerate the use of firearms during the festivities. He noted even the police and military have had their weapons sealed with tape to make sure they do not use these. Earlier, Duque said health authorities are shifting their efforts on addressing injuries and health problems related to the New Year revelry this coming week. He reminded doctors, nurses and medical technicians to be on alert for firecracker-related injuries as well as holiday-related stress and indigestion. Duque said he will personally make the rounds of government hospitals on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and hold a press conference on Jan. 1 on revelry-related injuries and incidents. He said the Dec. 31 rounds will inspect the readiness of government hospitals to respond to revelry-related incidents. - GMANews.TV