This is part of the process of compensating former Batswana gold mine workers, which has paid a total of almost R102 557 549 (P76 600 000) to almost 907 claimants to date. Through these planned interventions and key stakeholder support, many more potentially eligible claimants will benefit from the Trust. Since beginning the rollout of BME services in November 2024, over 1, 820 ex gold mine workers have been medically assessed for a compensable disease, namely, permanent lung damage from silicosis or from TB related to work at qualifying mines, according to strict criteria. Lusanda Jiya, Tshiamiso Trust stakeholder relations and communications executive, share the following sentiments regarding the expansion of BME and lodgement services in Botswana: “While the TEBA offices in Molepolole and Palapye are always available to assist with claim lodgements, this service for the first time at locations in Gaborone and Kanye, along with the BMEs, demonstrate the Trust’s commitment to improving claimants’ access where possible,” Jiya said.
The schedule for the services is planned as follows: BME services will start off at Old Scottish Livingstone, NCD Clinic in Molepolole from June 16-17, with new claim lodgments taking place at the TEBA office there as usual. Thereafter, Storkfort Health Clinic in Gaborone will offer both new claim lodgments and BMES from June 23-24, finishing off at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Kanye on June 26-27, where lodgments will also be available for the first time. The TEBA office in Palapye remains available for new claim lodgments too. “With these intensified efforts, we are urging all ex-gold miners with lung impairment from silicosis or work-related TB to lodge their claims if they qualify to do so, or to undergo a BME if necessary. Dependents of deceased ex-gold miners should also check if they are eligible to lodge their claims,” Jiya added.
