Phelophepa train: Bringing essential healthcare services to Tshwane's communities

IOL News

4 days ago

Residents of Tshwane call for more frequent visits from the Phelophepa mobile healthcare train.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Transnet's Phelophepa mobile healthcare train brought joy to many residents in need of health services in the City of Tshwane during its launch at the Eerste Fabriek train station in Mamelodi on Wednesday.
Residents went the extra mile to access the train's healthcare services, with many arriving at the train station the night before the launch to secure a spot.
Helen Kobe, a Skierlik resident in Mamelodi, braved the night queue at the train station.
"I arrived yesterday at 8pm to book a space because there are so many people looking for health services. I had to sleep here because when you come in the morning, you might not make it to the front,' she said.
Palesa Poto, another resident, visited the train station for dental services and believes the train's services should be offered more regularly.
"The train should come here at least twice a month. The services are desperately needed in Tshwane, and instead of staying for two weeks, it would be better if the train stayed for a whole month to help more people," she said.
She explained that she doesn't avoid going to the public healthcare clinic, but their dental services are not offered at the same time.
"At the clinic, you're booked to go to the hospital, and at the hospital, you have to make a booking for an appointment. But with this train, you're booked on the same day and get help on the same day," she said.
Mmabatho Moima, who joined the queue at 8pm on Tuesday seeking spectacles due to her eye problems, praised the train's efficient service.
"You need to come a day before to get a service for the next day. Unlike at a clinic where you have to wait for a long time, here you get your glasses at the same time," she said.
Moima shared a personal experience, saying her father had to wait two years for glasses at the public clinic, but he still has not received them.
"Ironically, he's now due for his second pair of glasses, which he'll receive at the Phelophepa," she said.
Ndivhuwo Singo, Phelophepa's social project coordinator, explained that the mobile train is a national programme that travels to different provinces, providing healthcare services to various communities.
"We started the year in KwaZulu-Natal, then moved to Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and now we're in Gauteng," he said.
The train is equipped with various clinics, including dental, eye care, general healthcare, psychology, and pharmacy services.
Singo said since its inception in 1994, the train has helped more than 15 million people.