Last few days to take advantage of the Phelophepa Health Train
The Transnet Foundation’s two healthcare trains, Phelophepa I and II, are designed to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to communities in the country.
The Phelophepa Health Train is ready and waiting for patients at the Polokwane Train Station until June 28.
POLOKWANE – Residents have two days left to take advantage of the services rendered by the Phelophepa Health Train.
The train has been in the city for the last two weeks and will leave Polokwane on Friday (June 28).
The Transnet Foundation’s two healthcare trains, Phelophepa I and II, are designed to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to communities in the country.
Phelophepa, which means “good, clean health”, is a unique mobile healthcare clinic that uses the existing rail network and travels to remote communities in South Africa, where dental, optometry, psychological and pharmaceutical services are offered.
These services include:
1. Dental clinic
– Screening and Education: Free.
– Extractions, fillings and cleanings are available: R10 per procedure.
– Children 16-years-old and younger are treated for free.
2. Eye clinic.
– Vision Screenings: Free.
– All glasses R30 per pair.
– Eye drops: R5.
– Eye clinic services do not include operations or bifocals.
3. Health care.
– General Health
– Screenings – Free.
– Minor children to be accompanied by parents.
4. Counselling services.
– Counselling services by qualified professionals to help cope with stressful life situations: Free.
5. Cancer and Diabetes education.
– Diabetes screening and testing Service: Free
– Cancer screening: Free.
-Breast Screening: Free.
The eighteen coach trains, with twenty resident staff members, fondly known as the ‘miracle trains’, carry modern medical equipment on board.
Since its inception in 1994, and with more than 40 permanent staff and numerous volunteers, the train has become more than a mobile hospital. It also provides outreach and educational programmes and has reached more than 20 million people thus far, making it the world’s biggest mobile clinic.
It does not compete with or replace available health care services, instead it complements those services and aims to assist people who cannot afford health care and often experience barriers to access public health services.
