LYDENBURG – For the past few days the train that brings health and hope to communities, has been in town helping locals. It arrived in Lydenburg on Monday April 27 and will leave again on Friday May 1.
The Transnet Phelophepa Health Care Train is a primary health-care clinic on wheels. It provides cancer and diabetes screenings, counselling services, psychology treatment, with an on-board pharmacy for minor ailments, health-clinic services, optical eye, and dental services.
Anna Mokwena, the train manager, explains, “We make sure that the patients receive all the assistance they need, that we can provide. If we cannot assist them we refer them to local hospitals and clinics since we work together,” Mokwena explained.
“Phelophepa provides psychology and counselling services. We go out to the community and we also provide private meetings with patients.”
The train offers treatment and employment for the residents.
“When it visits an area, we make sure that we employ local people to work with us during our stay there,” she said.
When Steelburger/Lydenburg News visited the train, the residents were there in numbers for medical help. According to Christina Manzini, a resident, she was glad that the train visited the people of Lydenburg/Mashishing.
“I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I am receiving the best treatment for almost nothing. I won’t have to worry any more about the wind affecting my eyes during windy days,” Manzini explained.
When the initiative started 20 years ago, there was only one train and now there are two in the country.
“There’s another one travelling in the other areas around the country and it is called Phelophepa 2. This one is called Phelophepa 1 and since there are two trains we share the areas,” said Mokwena.
