20 Dec 2021

 A team of two doctors and two nurses working for Letlhakane Primary Hospital have teamed up and embarked on an initiative to provide oxygen.

The team hopes that the initiative, dubbed We Care, O2 for All, will help to reduce mortality relating to COVID-19 complications, especially owing to lack of oxygen.

Speaking during a campaign for the project on Thursday in Letlhakane, public health specialist and team member Dr Orapeleng Phuswane-Katse said they embarked on the initiative after realising there was shortage of oxygen in health facilities and an increased burden on the economy due to the pandemic.

She said they started off by selling branded t-shirts branded, and asking for donations to raise funds.

Dr Phuswane-Katse said with help from Letlhakane hospital and stakeholders, they managed to secure four oxygen concentrators and three hospital beds at a cost of P125 000.

Sponsors included among others, JP BioChem, Letlhakane Pharmacy, Rapha Clinic, Kali Midas, Ombokolo, Mabogo Textiles and Barkat Enterprises, she said Lucara mine’s SHE and community relations manager, Mr Ewetse Mathaba, commended the four for their community service and noted government alone could not manage to provide health services to everyone.

Principal registered nurse, Ms Lesego Mothaedi, who is part of the initiative, said the aim was to maximise supportive treatment for COVID-19 patients by availing oxygen concentrators, and CPAP machines.
Other members of the team are Dr Kebonye Motlhala and Ms Oageletse Gwabeni. ENDS