Phelophepa health train returns to Mbombela
Sithembiso Shabangu, a staff member of the Transnet-Phelophepa train, said appointments aren’t made. He urged community members to get to the train early, as the services are on a first come, first served basis.
The community will be able to access healthcare on rail as the Transnet-Phelophepa train will be returning to Mbombela. The coaches containing health clinics will start operating in Mbombela from Monday to Friday May 6 to 17.
It conducts screenings for dental services, has an eye clinic (service does not include operations or bifocals), tests for diabetes and cancer (with Pap smears for women and prostate checks for men), does general healthcare screening, and also provides counselling.
The screenings include comprehensive programmes of education. The services are open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 until 16:00. The train does not operate on weekends.
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According to Sithembiso Shabangu, a staff member of the Transnet-Phelophepa train, the community members should remember to get to the train early in the morning.“The services are provided on a first come, first served basis. We have a specific number of patients who will be assisted per day. We do this so that we will be able to provide quality services to patients,” he explained.
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Shabangu said patients cannot make appointment in advance. Minors should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. When going to the facility, community members will need to take their ID, birth certificate or passport. In terms of the services, they are expected to pay R5 for medication (such as eye drops), R10 for dental services (cleaning, extraction and fillings), and for the optometrist, R30 for a pair of glasses.
