Officials from the Department of Health reminded the public to be mindful of the leading causes of illnesses or injuries during the holiday season, which were identified as road crashes, fireworks, and heart disease.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said last week that he would inspect public and private hospitals in the coming days to assess how they are responding to the holiday-related health issues.
Based on data from the DOH, there were a total of 826 cases of road traffic injuries from December 21, 2024 to January 6 this year, with more than half of the victims not wearing helmets.
Noting that drunk driving was involved in many injuries, the DOH reminded motorists not to drink and drive, to wear a seat belt, and motorcycle riders to use helmets.
During the same period, a total of 844 cases of firework-related injuries were also recorded, prompting a reminder from Herbosa that parents should not let their young children use fireworks, for their own protection.
The DOH also reported 96 cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the same holiday period as well. 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. She reminded Filipinos to avoid eating fatty and oily dishes and too much sweets during the holidays.
“Most of the time, [the patients] already have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, they are already ailing. But Christmas there is a lot of delicious food, alcoholic beverages, salty and processed foods, and stress,” she said.
Supe pointed out that a person who is already on maintenance medicines should still eat healthy during the holidays.
The holidays are a joyous season, but with celebrations come caution, especially if we want to still be able to make it to succeeding ones. Taking heed of the warnings by the DOH, particularly when it comes to our exposure to road crashes, fireworks, and heart disease, will allow us to spend more holidays with those we love, which is the most valuable gift we can give them.*
