Children’s Hospital Head says 2024 first New Year’s Eve without patients injured by pyrotechnics

Ivane Chkhaidze, the Medical Director of the Tbilisi-based Iashvili Children’s Hospital, on Wednesday said the 2024 New Year’s Eve was the first for the clinic without patients admitted with injuries from pyrotechnics used in festive season celebrations.

Chkhaidze called the development “absolutely outstanding” and noted his satisfaction with the development.

There have been many warnings regarding [dangers of] pyrotechnics over the years, but I don't remember a time over the recent years when we did not have severely injured children on New Year's Eve - with need for surgery, severe bleeding, [and] injuries”, he said. 

Chkhaidze said he hoped the development was a result of a “basic sense of caution” that “any parent should have as we enter the new year”.

Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chairman of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament, on Friday urged the public to avoid using pyrotechnics during New Year’s Eve celebrations.