07/07/2025
“Even Small Wounds Can Kill”
A doctor from Sultan Kudarat lamented the death of his patient who died of tetanus caused by a small bamboo splinter injury.
Dr. Con-con Laroza Ladot shared the heartbreaking case on social media, posting a photo of the tiny bamboo fragment with the caption:
“This small bamboo wood will soon take my patient’s life. It wasn’t the size of the injury, it was TETANUS.”
The patient reportedly sustained a minor puncture on the second finger but did not receive a tetanus shot until symptoms had already developed, including neck stiffness and difficulty opening the mouth.
Dr. Ladot also revealed that the patient’s family decided to discharge him due to financial constraints, despite his condition.
The physician used the incident to remind the public that tetanus is deadly but entirely preventable with proper vaccination. He also underscored the urgent need to make healthcare more accessible to everyone.
He urged everyone to: get vaccinated, complete the primary tetanus shot series, get a booster every 10 years, and to clean all wounds properly.
“Even small wounds can kill. But tetanus is 100% preventable,” he emphasized.
