28 May 2023

Batswana have been urged to donate blood to help victims of road accidents as well as those  in need of blood.

Speaking during a blood awareness campaign event held at Lady Mitchison primary school in Mochudi on Saturday, the Member of Parliament for Mochudi West, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said shortage of blood was a concern to Botswana.

He said the event was organised was by Ms Pelonomi Modikwe’s who was involved on a close to fatal accident in May last year. 

The aim was  to encourage Batswana to donate blood to help those in need.

Mr Kgafela  encouraged those in attendance to donate blood and those at home to visit blood donation centers and donate blood to save lives.

The legislator also thanked God for saving the life of Ms Modikwe and the doctors who worked hard to make sure that she survived.

Regarding road accidents, Mr Kgafela  who is also the Minister of Trade and Industry said the high number of road accidents was worrying saying government was doing all it could  to end road accidents. The Member of Parliament for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule who also graced the event said Ms Modikwe was a hero as she had survived a horrific accident that saw her trapped under the bus for more than two hours.

Mr Pule, who is also the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said, ‘we should all come together and make sure we help her go through her challenges and overcome them.’

He reiterated the need for Batswana to donate blood as the country was experiencing shortage of blood.

“To give blood is to secure life and save life for the future,” said Mr Pule.

Narrating her story, Ms Modikwe said she was travelling in a bus heading to Maun, when the driver lost control of the bus leading to a horrific accident.

She said the accident occurred along Motopi T-junction and she was trapped under the bus for 2-3 hours while awaiting help to arrive.

Ms Modikwe said she had five open fractures and had already done 23 operations with 10 or more others scheduled surgeries.

She added that due to shortage of blood she experienced during her ordeal, she organised this blood donation campaign to sensitise Batswana about importance of donating blood.

Ms Modikwe said she was on a journey to recovery and thanked her family for helping her out during trying times.

A family member, Ms Nkai Modikwe said when they received the news of the tragic accident, it was hard to bear and the worst part was when they could not visit her at the hospital until at a later stage.

She said their daughter was hospitalised at Letsholathebe Hospital for a week and was transferred to Sidilega Hospital in Gaborone.

 Ms Modikwe said by the grace of God they were able to hold on to faith that she would be fine and thanked all for the overwhelming support given to the family.

One of the event organisers, Mr Abel Mataboge said the objectives of the blood donation campaign was to help increase blood deposits with blood bank as there was a dire shortage of blood.

Mr Mataboge said they roped in social football clubs in Boseja North to help achieve their initiative.

In his welcome remarks, Kgatleng District Council chairperson Mr Daniel Molokwe commended the organisers for the initiative that would benefit Batswana.He said blood donation was a voluntary act that showed human kindness to save the lives of others.  Ends