A 15-YEAR-OLD girl from Malabon City has gone into coma after being hit by a stray bullet in her right fontanel during the New Year revelry Saturday night with the bullet still lodged inside her head.
In their post-New Year revelry press conference Sunday, an emotional Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial disclosed that the 15-year-old girl is currently at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the José R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) in Manila.
“While watching fireworks display, a stray bullet hit her in the head, which is very damaging to the brain, and is now in a near fatal, critical condition,” said Ubial.
“This is our saddest news (for the New Year),” said Ubial.
The health chief said she is being emotional after paying a visit to the patient and learning that the victim had a promising future.
“I am getting teary eyed because she is doing well in school and has a great future ahead. She is a scholar in school. But now this,” said Ubial.
According to JRRMMC chief Dr. Emmanuel Montaña, Jr., the patient was brought to their facility around 1 a.m. Sunday after she was hit by the stray bullet around 11:30 p.m.
Montaña admitted that it is not looking good for the 15-year-old adding that doing a surgery could worsen her condition.
“She is currently in deep coma. In truth, we have a poor prognosis of the patient,” said Montaña.
For now, he said the hospital is just providing the patient with all the necessary medical support while staying at the hospital’s ICU.
Montaña said these include giving her medicines to decompress the brain, anti-brain inflammation, anti-tetanus, and antibiotics, among others.
And given the medical diagnosis, Department of Health Spokesman Dr Eric Tayag said they are calling on everyone to offer prayers to the 15-year old stray bullet victim.
“She needs a miracle and we need to pray for her,” said Tayag.
Last Thursday, the DOH has recorded one other stray bullet victim, which is the 27-year-old male from Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
He was hit by a gunshot wound to the head while inside their house last December 25.
In total, the DOH said they have received a total of four stray bullet incidents but is leaving details of other cases to the Philippine National Police (PNP). (HDT/Sunnex)