By Jel Santos
Staff and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were ordered by PRC Chairman Richard Gordon to coordinate with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Administration and provide full support to PGH in assisting patients suffering from various ailments traceable to ingesting “lambanog” or coconut wine.
Philippine Red Cross (MANILA BULLETIN)
The order came after Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, PGH medical director, asked Gordon for support because of the sudden influx of the lambanog-poisoning victims.
A total of 20 cot beds, pillows, pillowcases, linens, and Intravenous Stands (IV) have been set up by PRC volunteers and staff to augment the PGH’s capacity to accommodate more lambanog-related cases.
The cot beds were placed near the PGH Temporary Emergency Room, the humanitarian organization said.
“We have a Product Liability Act where the owner will be accountable for the harm caused by his product. Dito sa insidenteng ito na maraming nahilo, nagsuka at nalason sa nainom nilang lambanog, dapat lamang na may managot. Homicide na ito dahil may mga namatay at hindi ito aksidente. Dapat may makulong dyan,” Gordon said in a statement.
Lambanog or coconut wine is a popular native alcoholic drink in the country. The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines (FDA) said ingestion of product with an elevated amount of methanol causes serious adverse effects such as blindness, permanent neurologic dysfunction, and even death. The human body can only tolerate 0.5 percent of methanol.
“Methanol is the simplest type of alcohol. It is also known as wood alcohol and methyl alcohol, mostly used to create fuel and solvent which is unfit for human consumption,” PRC said.
Gordon said PRC continues to monitor lamabanog-related cases and is ready to provide further assistance like additional medical tents in case the need arises.
READ MORE: At least 8 killed, more than 100 hospitalized due to deadly ‘lambanog’