Relatives send blankets to Marina as winter bites

Relatives of patients forced to bring blankets for their loved ones
Relatives of patients forced to bring blankets for their loved ones

The prevailing biting cold has worsened shortage of blankets at the country’s premier referral facility, Princess Marina Hospital. In-patients are now bringing their own blankets to keep warm. During a visit to the facility the Mmegi team witnessed patients in many wards using their own blankets while relatives were seen bringing in more.

This has raised concern that the hospital may be defeating efforts to control infectious diseases by allowing patients to check in with their own blankets to keep warm during the chilly nights, since the hospital does not have enough blankets or an adequate heating system.

A caretaker who declined to be named said blankets from home had the potential to spread cross-infections.

Editor's Comment
Two-tier education system demands action

Whilst we join Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) and other stakeholders in commending the rise in top grades, a testament to the unwavering effort of many teachers and pupils, this progress is fundamentally shadowed by a failing that shames our society. The stark, persistent urban-rural divide is not just a statistic, but an active betrayal of thousands of young Batswana.The figures are a damning indictment. When pass rates in...

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