By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

MEDICAL AID. Philippine Red Cross volunteers carry a male devotee of the Black Nazarene on a stretcher at the corner of General Solano and Palanca Streets in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2024). The PRC said a total of 706 devotees received medical help. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – A total of 706 devotees who participated in the Feast of the Black Nazarene sought medical help as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported that it responded to 257 patients for vital signs.

A total of 215 patients had minor injuries like abrasion, burn, puncture, laceration, wound and infected wound.

They also experienced difficulty in breathing, chest pain, hyperventilation, headache, elevated blood pressure and dizziness.

Meanwhile, six patients had major injuries including head trauma (swelling), laceration, incision, fainting, severe chest pain, and suspected fracture on the left ankle.

Thirty-four patients were transported to the PRC Emergency Field Hospital.

Fever, cough, dizziness, body weakness, vomiting, ankle sprain, chest pain, and numbness were the complaints of those who were transported to the field hospital.

Two patients — a pregnant patient who experienced abdominal pain and a second-degree burn victim — were among the major cases.

Nine individuals received welfare assistance (four psychosocial first aid, three contact tracing and two referrals) and 185 received hot meals.

The PRC deployed 10 first aid stations, eight welfare desks, one emergency field hospital, 13 ambulances, one fire truck, one food truck, one rescue boat and 319 volunteers. (PNA)