All Negros Occidental provincial government hospitals have been placed on Code White Alert for the New Year festivities, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday, December 29.
“We are preparing for the festivities that will happen in the New Year and praying and hoping that every one of us will put our safety as top priority to avoid ending up in a hospital,” he said.
Code White Alert refers to the readiness of hospital manpower like general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, and emergency room personnel to respond to any situation.
Health officials are appealing to New Year’s Eve revelers to avoid the use of pyrotechnics and to instead use safe makeshift noisemakers.
The public are also urged instead watch community fireworks organized by their local governments to mark the start of the New Year , Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said.*