DOH warns public vs 3 leading causes of holiday illnesses, injuries
The top official of the Department of Health (DOH) called on the public on Saturday to take precautions against the leading causes of illnesses or injuries during the holiday season, which were identified as road accidents, fireworks and heart diseases.
At the same time, a heart doctor reminded people to maintain a healthy lifestyle as she noted that heart disease cases usually go up at this time of the year.
On Saturday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that he would personally inspect public and private hospitals in the coming days to assess how these are responding to holiday-related health issues such as injuries from road crashes, fireworks and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
“Of course, preparedness is important. The post-crash response—immediately getting an ambulance to bring you to the ER (emergency room) where you are given the proper treatment,” Herbosa said in an interview on dzMM Teleradyo.
Drunk driving
Based on data from the DOH, there were a total of 826 cases of road traffic injuries from Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 6 this year, with more than half of the victims not wearing helmets.
Noting that drunk driving also resulted in injuries, the DOH reminded motorists not to drink and drive and to wear a seat belt. Motorcycle riders, it said, should wear appropriate protective gear such as a helmet.
During the same period of Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 6 this year, a total of 844 cases of firework-related injuries were recorded, prompting a reminder from Herbosa that parents should not let their young children use fireworks for their own protection.
A doctor, meanwhile, reminded Filipinos to avoid eating fatty and oily dishes and too much sweets during the holidays. During the same period, the DOH reported 96 cases of ACS.
Myla Supe, an adult cardiologist from the Philippine Heart Center, said that they usually see a spike in heart-related illnesses during the holiday season.
“Most of the time, [the patients] already have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, they are already ailing. But during Christmas, there are a lot of delicious food, alcoholic beverages, salty and processed foods, and stress,” Supe said.
She pointed out that a person who is already on maintenance medicines should still eat healthy during the holidays.
