The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) and Transnet recently collaborated to bring the Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Trains to provincial communities.
The trains are free, mobile healthcare clinics that travel to rural areas nationwide, where there is just one doctor for every 5 000 patients.
Phelophepa means “good, clean health”. The initiative has been ongoing for over 25 years and has assisted millions.
The trains are now offering free prescription glasses and sunglasses to Gauteng communities.
Previously, the communities would have free eye screenings but would have to pay R30 for spectacles.
This year, consulting communities in Gauteng are receiving eyewear for free.
The mobile clinic rolled through Tshwane from July 29 to August 9 at the Eerste Fabrieke station in Mamelodi.
One of the beneficiaries, Mamelodi resident Elizabeth Sekati, expressed her gratitude for the initiative when she went for her eye test.
“I came here in need of spectacles to improve my vision. I was only expecting spectacles, but the Phelophepa eyecare clinic also gave me sunglasses as well. I am so happy that I received both for free,” said Sekati.
The Phelophepa healthcare trains are now equipped with state-of-the-art eye testing equipment and lens edge grinder cutters, allowing patients to receive prescription glasses an hour after consulting.
The train’s eyecare clinic sees a maximum of 160 people in a day.
Phelophepa eyecare manager Londeka Zulu encouraged communities where the train will be stationed in Gauteng to take advantage of the free healthcare services offered.
“It is important that communities who live near the stations we will be stationed at come and access the healthcare services including free basic eye testing, screening and prescription spectacles. We are currently issuing the spectacles for free in the stations we are visiting in Gauteng,” said Zulu.
The trains also render dental services such as extractions, fillings, cleanings and cancer screening services such as pap smears, mammograms and prostate-specific antigen testing.
Almost all the services are rendered for free and now that prescription glasses are free of charge, the highest amount patients pay is R10.
From August 12 to August 23, the two trains will be stationed at Oakmoor Station in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni and Vereeniging Station in Sedibeng.
They operate from 07:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday.
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