North West Health MEC Sello Lehari joined by Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi yesterday, 29 November 2024 gave Kedisaletse Letebele (58) from Magogong Village outside Taung the lifesaving gift of a portable oxygen concentrator. The delivery came as a result of a pledge made by MEC Lehari during a visit to the Letebele house-hold in October this year as part of the MEC’s Re Bona ka Matlho programme which is are aimed at conducting visits to various districts across the province in order to investigate challenges impeding on service delivery and to provide solutions for the benefit of communities.

During the visit, the MEC discovered an ailing Letebele who had been diagnosed with a lung disease in 2016 which had led to her developing respiratory problems. She was relying on a giant oxygen concentrator which was heavy and restricted her movements. MEC Lehari pledged departmental assistance to acquire a portable device for Letebele as the current one is too heavy and bulky for her to carry around.

Speaking during the handover, MEC Lehari said the portable machine would improve Letebele’s quality of life. “We could not allow her to continue to live under such circumstances. Our mandate as the Department of Health is to provide quality health care, hence answered to the family’s calls for intervention,” said MEC Lehari.

“We could not allow her to continue to live under such circumstances. Our mandate as the Department of Health is to provide quality health care, hence answered to the family’s calls for intervention,” said MEC Lehari. “We needed to respond swiftly to Mme Letebele’s need for a portable oxygen machine as it will provide her with more mobility and independence to engage in daily activities, and allow her to socialize without the constant constraint of stationary oxygen equipment,” continued MEC Lehari. An emotional Letebele thanked the department for responding to her plight. “What you have given me is so much more than just the ability to breathe, you have freed me and given the ability to enjoy the little things than people take for granted. I will now be able to move around easily and go outside after years of being exiled in the house as a result of being attached to a heavy breathing machine,” Letebele said. Her daughter Tshep Letebele also could not hold back the tears as she thanked MEC Lehari and departmental management team for responding swiftly to their request for a portable device for her mother. “This gesture means a lot to this family as it will allow my mother to engage in activities she had longed to partake in like going to the shops and spend time with us outside the house. Thank you for giving my mother a new lease on life,” she said. A home oxygen concentrator is prescribed for patients who need constant oxygen while they are at home. A medical officer provided information and demonstration to Letebele on how to operate and charge the rechargeable machine.

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