Bringing health services closer to the Buffalo City Metro’s residents, Transnet’s medical train Phelophepa II will be in East London for two weeks.
Transnet national spokesperson Ayanda Shezi confirmed the train would be at the Mount Ruth station in Mdantsane from February 5 to 16.
The visit represents an investment of about R1.4m.
The train will operate on weekdays and services on offer include health care, eye and dental care, various screenings, counselling and psychology clinics.
Fees are up to R30 though most procedures are free.
Shezi said: “The train renders comprehensive primary healthcare services, including general health checks, vision screening and basic dentistry, counselling services and medication for minor ailments.
“We work on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Buffalo city spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya called on communities in the metro to take advantage of the service.
“Residents, particularly those who wish to be screened for prostate and breast cancer, or who need access to the eye and dental clinics, are encouraged to visit the train.”
Healthcare education is also offered as well as the immunisation of children, and parents are advised to bring their little ones’ Road to Health book with them.
Other offerings include cancer and diabetes screening, cancer education, pap smears and prostate and breast screening.
Ngwenya said Phelophepa was a Sotho and Venda word meaning “good, clean health”.
The train has consulting rooms spacious enough to accommodate a patient, an escort, a nurse and a clinical supervisor.
Residents are advised to arrive early and bring a clinic card.
Provincial health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the Phelophepa train was one of the department’s most important partners when it came to providing primary healthcare services to the people.
Last week, the health train was in Gqeberha.
“It helps a lot in providing much-needed services, particularly to the elderly with vision and dental problems.
“Every month, citizens visit our health facilities, so having partners like Phelophepa is very strategic,” Kupelo said.
Medicine costs as little as R5 per prescription. Eye tests are free, with R30 charged for glasses and R5 for eye drops.
Counselling services include workshops to help people cope with stress, abuse, conflict, death, parenting discipline, empowerment and working through emotions.
The dental clinic will provide free screenings and education. Fillings and cleaning are available, with each procedure costing R10.
All procedures for children of 15 and younger are free.
Shezi said 2024 marked 30 years that the Phelophepa project had been in operation, a milestone for Transnet.
“This investment in health care by Transnet aims to improve communities’ access to quality health services as well as alleviate the burden on the state’s healthcare systems.
“Since its inception in 1994, the project has affected the lives of over 15.5-million patients.
“It has expanded from its humble beginnings of being a three-coach eye clinic, and evolved into two mighty trains which boast a fully fledged health facility offering a one-stop, convenient basket of services.
“Phelophepa has provided thousands of patients, young and old, with the gift of sight and many more with affordable, easily accessible, quality health care which, under normal circumstances, they might struggle to get.”
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