Residents of Tembisa and surrounding areas turned up in their numbers today for free health services offered by the Phelophepha Train.

Thulo Letsoalo, a mother of three, told SAnews that she felt she should take advantage of the train services, as she cannot afford to go to specialists.

Letsoalo said over the past few years, she has been unwell, suffering from various ailments.

‘I came here this morning just before 6am and I am confident that I am going to be assisted. I thank our government for bringing the Phelophepha services to us, as some of us cannot afford to pay for specialists,’ Letsoalo told SAnews on Thursday.

Clive Tsheka, who has been having problems with his eye sight, commended the services provided by the healthcare train.

‘I have been struggling with my eyes for years. I last visited an optometrist when I was still working and after that, I could not afford it anymore. I am happy that our government has brought free services to us,’ Tsheka said.

The Phelophepha Train, which is currentl
y stationed at Oakmoor train station in Gauteng, is Transnet’s flagship Corporate Social Investment project, which started in 1994 as a three-coach eye clinic. It operated successfully between 1995 and 2009.

Due to its reach and success around the country in providing eye care to the country’s most vulnerable communities in rural areas, Transnet decided to add other critical services to the first train, such as nursing, dentistry and an on-board pharmacy.

Over the years, Phelophepha Trains have expanded their service offering to include education/awareness/testing and screening for cancer (cervical, prostate and breast), and wellness for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

The Department of Public Enterprises Acting Director-General, Jacky Molisane, told SAnews that the provision of healthcare is a crucial element to development at community level.

‘We are bringing services at grassroots level, providing comprehensive services free of charge. People are given services such as dentistry a
nd other services, free of charge. This shows that government cares for its people,’ Molisane said.

She commended the hard working men and women, who provide healthcare on the train in a professional manner.

‘This shows that our government is responsive and caring,’ she said.

Senior Manager responsible for Health Initiatives at Transnet Foundation, Shamona Kandia, said through the Phelophepha Train, the Transnet Foundation is able to give back to communities.

‘The Phelophepha Train has, for the past 30 years, been providing healthcare services to communities. Today, we here in Tembisa as part of Transnet’s schedule of bringing healthcare services to the people,’ Kandia said.

She said Transnet has been supporting government to provide healthcare services to communities.

The Transnet Foundation’s two healthcare trains, Phelophepa I and II, are designed to provide basic medical help and education.

Each train has a permanent staff of 22 healthcare professionals, including nurses, healthcare educators, opti
cians and dentists. The trains also carry managers, translators and security staff. Local workers are hired on a temporary basis.

Since the beginning of the Phelophepa programme, the trains have reached many people, changing lives and bringing healing and healthcare education to communities in great need of care.

The Phelophepha Train healthcare services form part of build-up events for the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo, which is taking place on Friday, 23 August, in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality at Tsakane Stadium. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to interact with communities and stakeholders in the metro.

Themed: “Leave No One Behind’, the Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.

At an event at a community hall, locals, especially those in need, were given wheelchair
s, walking sticks and hygiene packs.

Source: South African Government News Agency