The well-known Phelophepa Health Train arrived at Dube Station in Soweto last week, ready to provide various services to local residents.
The mobile healthcare clinic conducts screenings for cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, with pap smears for women and prostate checks for men, among other services. The screening itself is backed by a comprehensive programme of education and outreach.
The train, which takes experts and services to (mainly impoverished) villages and communities across the country, is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Transnet Foundation, with Roche being Phelophepa’s main external sponsor since the first train journey in 1994, reports News24.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and other government officials welcomed the train when it arrived, while a group of patients in wheelchairs received hygiene packages, food hampers and other supplies.
Most of the services are free, while others are charged at subsidised rates.
Over the years, the train has become a boon for under-served communities that can’t afford healthcare. It travels through 70 communities annually, is operated by around 20 resident staff, and supported by up to 40 South African student volunteers; it has also helped to train more than 20 000 student doctors, pharmacists and nurses since its first journey in 1994.
More than 375 000 patients seen every year, with more than 68 000 prescriptions issued, and more than 5.8m people having benefited through its general health screening, HIV/Aids awareness initiatives, health education and counselling outreach services.
The train will be parked in Soweto until 20 October.