Health train to operate for three weeks in Mbombela
The health train, consisting of multiple clinics, will serve locals in Mbombela before it heads to Limpopo.
The Transnet-Phelophepa Healthcare Train will be in the City of Mbombela (CoM) for more than two weeks, according to Sithembiso Shabangu of the train.
Shabangu said the coaches that consist of several health clinics will now operate until May 24.
The train arrived in the CoM on May 5. It started operating on May 6 and its services were supposed to end on May 24.
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It provides screenings for dental services, an eye clinic (service does not include operations or bifocals), tests for diabetes and cancer (with Pap smears for women and prostate checks for men), general healthcare screening and counselling. The screenings include comprehensive programmes of education.
The services run from Monday to Friday from 07:30 until 16:00. The train does not operate on weekends.
During Lowvelder’s visit, the Transnet-Phelophepa train’s manager, Bheki Mendlula, said they are here to serve the local people, although he urged them to remember that there’s a daily cut-off number.
He said they want to assist everyone, however, sometimes it is not possible.
“The public should know that the train has other clinics, and if they are not assisted in the eye-testing side, they can go to the dental, or counselling sections.”
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Mendlula urged the people who come for eye tests to drink their chronic medication.
“Those who will sleep over need to bring their medication with them, but those who will not should take their medication before they come to the train. These are especially patients who take medication for hypertension and sugar diabetes, because if they do not take it, it can affect the outcome of the eye-screening tests,” he explained.
Minors should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Remember your ID, birth certificate or passport. It costs R5 for medication (such as eye drops), R10 for dental services (cleaning, extraction and fillings), and for the optometrist, R30 for a pair of glasses.
From Mbombela, the train will go on to Limpopo.
