Health train to provide much-needed relief

Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla welcomed the Transnet-Phelophepa healthcare train at the Springs Station on Wednesday morning.
The train will be at the station until September 16 from 8am to 4pm.
The Transnet-Phelophepa trains are free, mobile health-care clinics that travel to rural parts of South Africa, where there is just one doctor for every 5 000 patients.
Phelophepa (pronounced pay-lo-pe-pa) means “good, clean health” in Sesotho and is owned and operated by the Transnet Foundation, with Roche being Phelophepa’s main external sponsor since the first train journey in 1994.

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The train offers eye and oral care, screening for HIV and Aids, psychological services and medication for minor ailments, among other services.
The deployment of the health train in Gauteng is part of an agreement between Transnet and the Gauteng Department of Health to assist with the provision of primary health-care services, which have become backlogged due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Services at Phelophepa will include Covid-19 screening and testing in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health.
“Our country is currently in a serious health crisis, and we needed government to step up and take charge of the situation, and I am very impressed with the facilities provided,” said Phaahla.
“People with other health issues such as cancer and HIV can come here for screening tests at a very affordable price. We will take this train to other parts of the country to try and reach as many people as possible.”

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The health train has 19 cars which include an accommodation suite with television and DStv as well as counselling rooms and shower facilities that are sanitised daily.
Since their first journey more than 25 years ago, the trains have touched the lives of approximately 14 million people, dispensed medication to over three million patients and provided health screening to over two million people.
Since the trains’ inception, more than 15 000 volunteers have participated in a basic health-care education programme, and over three million people have participated in HIV/Aids and first-aid training.
On average the trains serve as a training opportunity for student doctors and nurses and a job opportunity for hundreds of unemployed or retired health professionals.

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