The Transnet-Phelophepa trains are free, mobile healthcare clinics that travel to areas of rural South Africa, where there is just one doctor for every 5 000 patients. The Phelophepa train runs 36 weeks a year and travels to up to 70 remote communities annually.

The Transnet-Phelophepa Healthcare Train brings health and hope to citizens that are in need of access to healthcare facilities. The Healthcare Train helps thousands of rural South Africans annually in need of access to healthcare facilities.

READ: Phelophepha Health Train in Mpumalanga

The Phelophepa Train services include a healthcare clinic, eye care clinic, dental clinic, counseling, and psychology clinic.

Free healthcare services offered include:

• Healthcare education

• A complete physical assessment

• Cancer treatments

• Pap smear

• Prostate cancer testing (PSA blood test).

Patients pay R5 for the entire script of medicines.

Eyecare clinic services include:

• Free eye tests • Spectacles cost R30.

The eye clinic does not issue bi-focal lenses.

• Eye drops cost R5. The eye clinic does not offer eye operations.

Counselling and psychology clinic services include:

•One-on-one sessions • Workshops targeting schools, communities, workers, teachers

• Topics covered include leadership, drug and alcohol abuse, sexuality, and tools to deal with physical and emotional abuse.

Dental clinic

•Free screening and education

•Extract and cleaning of teeth.

All the health services are free to children 15 years and younger. All services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also bring along your clinic card and child’s immunisation certificate.

Strict Covid protocols will be observed. The department also used the opportunity to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to citizens.

MEC Manzini urged everyone to get vaccinated. “We are still in the middle of the pandemic and we would like to urge everyone to get vaccinated. People must also not forget to continue to adhere to COVID-19 protocols” said Manzini.