It has also become very clear that a lot of lives are lost on the roads due to lack of first aid on the scene. In a number of instances, people have died in burning vehicles because there was nothing that could be done to help put out the fire. A lot of vehicles on the roads do not have fire extinguishers, let alone first aid kits. We encourage vehicle owners to carry all first aid equipment all the time so that when the need arises, they are handy.
Whenever accidents occur, the injured have to wait for ambulances, paramedics and the police to arrive to render assistance. Sometimes an accident will have occurred far away from any of the above-mentioned services and in the process, lives are lost. In cases where members of the public volunteer assistance, not all of them have the requisite first aid knowledge.
The collaboration between Med Rescue International (MRI) and the Gaborone Taxi and Bus Operators Association (GTBOA) is therefore a welcome development. The Commuter Assist Service Programme will go a long way in saving lives on the roads in the event of a road accident.
The programme will cover combis, taxis and long distance buses. We encourage all transport operators to join this scheme, as it will benefit their customers who are the commuters. For this industry to grow, it has to be developed so that the commuters can be happy and feel safe when they use public transport.There is a perception that public transport drivers are the most careless drivers in the country. With such initiatives in place, the public transport operators and drivers will win back the confidence of the general public.
All along the Med Rescue service was limited to people who are on medical aid though they always assisted whenever they were called to a scene of an accident. But the first pre-qualification has always been that one should be on medical aid.
The complication has always been that those who are not covered should reimburse MRI and in some instances it was not possible. At least now if operators subscribe into this scheme, MRI will also benefit while providing service.
