By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Hospitals in Negros Occidental have been placed on “code white alert” status over the weekend until New Year’s Day.

Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, chief of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, said the heightened alert status is in anticipation of firecracker-related injuries in the days leading to the New Year.

Maestral said all hospital personnel in the province, especially surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, and operating room nurses, were told to immediately respond to any medical emergency situations.

Aside from firecracker-related injuries, hospitals in the province are also bracing for a possible spike in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and stroke.

Hospital personnel are also told to brace for an increased number of vehicular accidents during the holiday week.

Maestral reiterated an earlier appeal issued by the Department of Health in Western Visayas to eat and drink in moderation./DGB, WDJ