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DOH: Seek medical attention no matter how small your wound is

DOH: Seek medical attention no matter how small your wound is

By Restituto Cayubit

By Charina Clarisse Echaluce

No matter how small your wound is, seek medical attention.

This was the call made by the Department of Health (DOH) today, urging those who got injured with firecrackers to see a doctor to avoid complications due to tetanus.

Erich Romano Tumpalan, 12, moments after being treated at the East Avenue Medical Center after the kid picked up an unexploded “pla-pla” firecracker while celebrating the New Year at their place in Sandigan Bayan Park in Quezon City. The firecracker immediately exploded after being picked by Tumapaan. There were only 191 firecracker-related injuries with 7 cases of amputation and one stray bullet case were recorded by the Department of Health and the Philippine National Police during the celebration of the New Year in the Philippines resulting to a 77% drop in firecracker-related injuries vs 5-year average. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)

Erich Romano Tumpalan, 12, moments after being treated at the East Avenue Medical Center after the kid picked up an unexploded “pla-pla” firecracker while celebrating the New Year at their place in Sandigan Bayan Park in Quezon City. The firecracker immediately exploded after being picked by Tumapaan. (ALVIN KASIBAN|Manila Bulletin)

In an interview, Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo disclosed that the DOH is still expecting reports on firecracker victims as there are people who do not go immediately to the hospital, thinking their wounds will still heal even if they do not consult a doctor.

"We are still expecting reports no'ng mga late nagpakonsulta. Akala nila kasi minor lang at gagaling naman agad. Pero 'pag hindi, 'yon lang ang dahilan nila to consult us (We are still expecting reports of those who consulted a doctor late. Some think that minor wounds easily heal. But if these wounds do not, that's the time they will consult us)," Bayugo said.

The DOH has been reiterating that even small wounds can cause big health problems so people should not just ignore them.

"Ang aming panawagan, maski maliit yan, dapat ay patingnan agad. Dahil 'pag 'yan pala ay malala, baka may tetano pa yan, baka mas mahirap ng habulin' pag kinonsulta," he stressed.

The official noted that people wounded by firecrackers must be given anti-tetanus and antibiotics to avoid complications.

On January 6, the DOH will give the full report on the number of firecracker-related injuries during the surveillance period for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

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