20 Jun 2018

Ms Leatametse Gosetsemang, who suffered a mysterious illness which saw her being sent from pillar to post, is proud to be back on her feet.

Ms Gosetsemang, who was born without any disability, said she found herself lame but could not relate the cause of her condition to any disease.

In 2004, she said she was diagnosed with athritis and that her feet became numb in 2007. She tried walking but her feet started swelling.

She said she developed wounds which oozed pus from her feet and later they spread all over her  body.

She said she was referred to an orthopaedist who put her on treatment.

Ms Gosetsemang, who resides in Te2, a cattle post behind Maipaafela settlement near Orapa, was given crutches in 2008 and started walking again.

She, however, said she developed pain on her pelvic area and was taken for an x-ray to assess her condition but nothing was diagnosed.

In 2013, she was diagnosed with appendix and January 2014 was set as the date for her to undergo surgery, unfortunately the appendix burst before the operation could be performed.

Doctors feared she may not survive, but through her trust in God, Ms Gosetsemang survived.

She then lost her sense of hearing for two months in 2015, and through her believe the other ear got unblocked, and now she hears with one ear.

Her condition attracted a lot more diseases as she was referred to Sekgoma Memorial Hospital in Serowe for eye-testing, where spectacles were prescribed but she failed to secure a pair due to lack of funds.

Although she has scars all over her body, Ms Gosetsemang can now walk and gives all the credit to Orapa Mine Hospital (OMH), its doctors and staff for excellent service provision.

She gave a standing ovation to the hospital for helping her out of the quandary that she found herself in.

The OLDM acting corporate affairs manager, Ms Bontle Maruatona said Ms Gosetsemang was given appropriate management for her condition which resulted in her recovery.

Ms Maruatona said the hospital offered free health care to citizens who could not afford private health care, adding that they constituted an average of 40 per cent of the total number of clients who visited the facility.

As part of its corporate responsibility, Orapa Mine Hospital carries out daily outreach to settlements surrounding Orapa with focus on TB and HIV management.

Although it does not have specialist doctors, the hospital engages some on a monthly basis to assist patients, which is a blessing for the likes of Ms Gosetsemang, who does not have any medical aid but managed to get first class service from experienced doctors.

It helps local health facilities with medical supplies when there is shortage of medication in public health facilities.

It is a multidisciplinary 110 bed hospital and provides other ancillary services for a population of about 12 000 and a regional catchment population of over 54 000.

It serves as a referral hospital for the sub-district with a significant percentage of emergencies from the area referred directly to OMH.

Orapa Mine Hospital assists an average 86 000 patients annually and in 2017, it spent P89 million to provide health care.

It also collaborates with the University of Botswana as medical school students are provided with clinical attachments.

It also assists Letlhakane Primary Hospital with decongesting patients. ENDS