Phelophepa brings basic services to the people

Close to 1 000 members from vulnerable groups in the district made their way to Transnet Polokwane Station where the Transnet Phelophepa Health Care Train offered basic health care services on Monday and Tuesday.
The services, rendered by 39 health officials, included cancer and diabetes educare, an eye clinic, counselling and dental clinic ser­vices. The free counselling workshops aimed at helping individuals struggling to cope with stress, abuse, conflict, death, parenting, discipline, empowerment and working through emotions.
Phelophepa Manager, Lynette Flusk said they were overwhelmed by the number of persons who made use of their services. “We had lots of people on the two days, some even slept here because they wanted to make sure of getting treatment. We urge members of the community to come and make use of our services. They must bring their clinic card, including immunisation cards for children, to be able to access treatment which is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis,” Flusk said.
On Monday senior citizen Elizabeth Mokwele from Makotopong village visited the train for an eye test. She said she was impressed with the professionalism of the health care practitioners. “They were patient with us, unlike professionals at public clinics, the tests were free and the eye drops affordable,” she said.
Malose Lekata from Lekurung village, Ga-Mphahlele made use of the counselling service and praised the team for reaching out to the vulnerable groups in the society. “Some of us cannot afford these counselling and psychological services. The psychologists were young and helpful and I feel much better now,” he said.
The train commenced its annual visit to the province in Pienaarsrivier on 11 June and has thus far visisted Makhado and Tzaneen. The train is still in Polokwane where its services will be available until 3 August. Thereafter it will be Mokopane’s turn from 6 to 17 August.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com