30 Oct 2017

Residents of Selebi Phikwe were given a free eye screening and testing session courtesy of the Selebi Phikwe/Makomoto Lions Club and the Greater Gaborone Lions Club.

The eye testing and screening session took place at the Human Centre at Botshableo and was conducted with the help of the Selebi Phikwe Hospital Eye Unit.

During the event, 58 people, mostly composed of the elderly were screened and tested.

Out of the number, 48 received free reading glasses.

Furthermore, from the total number who received assistance, 19 were referred to Sekgoma Memorial Hospital Centre for Visual Excellence for the treatment of allergies, infections and glaucoma management, and 24 elderly citizens were advised to undergo cataract surgery at the hospital.

Giving remarks on behalf  of the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Nonofo Molefhi, who is also Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, the mayor of Selebi Phikwe, Mr Molosiwa Molosiwa said Mr Molefhi appreciated the good gesture from the Selebi Phikwe/Makomoto Lions Club and Greater Gaborone Lions Club as well as hospital eye unit.

He said what the Lions Club was doing touched the lives of many. He said the gift of sight was very important in one’s life, adding that with sight, a person was able to take care of themselves and their family.

He commended the Lions Club for the free eye screening and testing campaign, especially on the elderly citizens who could not afford to go to private opticians.

He also commended the clubs for giving out free spectacles to those who could not afford to buy their own.

“This will reduce blindness that is so much in the increase in this country and globally,” he said. He also commended the Selebi Phikwe/MakomotoLions Club for the charity work they had been doing. He noted that the club had built a bus shelter near the BCL Mine Hospital, and that they had also distributed blankets and other goodies to people of the mining town and surrounding villages. In addition, he said they had donated food hampers to patients at health facilities during Christmas.

For his part, Mr Anil Patel representing the Selebi PhikweLions Club said they were obliged to assist the community when help was needed.

He praised the Greater Gaborone Lions Club and Selebi Phikwe Hospital Eye Unit for partnering with them to help restore sight among residents.

He extended his gratitude  to Dr Thanuja Panicker for conducting the eye tests and screening on behalf of the Lions Club. He said she has conducted over 5 000 eye tests and screening in Botswana and other countries in the SADC region.

Meanwhile, Botshabelo Customary Court president, Kgosi Olebogeng Mujuta said residents of Botshabelo were fortunate to receive free eye screening and testing as well as reading glasses free of charge.

She thanked the Lions Club for the good gesture, noting that those that have benefitted more were the elderly who could not afford to purchase spectacles.

The councillor for Botshabelo West, Mr Motsemme   Motsemme also commended Selebi Phikwe/Makomoto Lions Club for the charitable work. He urged those who got assistance to take care of their eyes and spectacles.

Meanwhile, in an interview after the eye testing and screening event, Dr Panicker, who was conducting the eye tests and is also a member of the Greater Gaborone Lions Club, said in Botswana records showed that there was an estimate of 15 000 people who were blind.

She added that 35 000 people are visually impaired. She said 90 per cent of the blindness that people experienced could be prevented. She explained that common eye problems experienced by people were glaucoma and cataract.

She   encouraged people who have been getting medical assistance to get continuous monitoring at hospitals and take their medication as prescribed serious. She said those who have been referred for surgical assistance should follow suite as prescribed to prevent blindness. BOPA