Track laid out for the Phelophepa Train
Organisers are keen to get wheels moving, with the train set to begin its tour from Newcastle Station on January 21 to February 1.
The Phelophepa Train makes its return to Newcastle in a few weeks’ time.
Organisers are keen to get wheels moving, with the train set to begin its tour from Newcastle Station on January 21 to February 1.
Marketers of the health train from Fikanethemba Trading hosted a workshop in the mayor’s parlour last week to inform stakeholders of what to expect, and to also establish a local organising committee (LOC) to ensure the train’s stay runs smoothly.
“When the train is in any district, it must have a LOC and sub-committees ready. The roles and responsibility of these committees differ,” explained Londi Shongwe of Fikanethemba.
Her colleague Fikile Ntshingila, then provided a brief history of the Phelophepa Train, from its inception almost 25 years ago under the Transnet banner.
She said the train was always intended as a mobile primary healthcare facility.
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Today, the train offers education on various aspects of healthcare, screenings for diabetes, prostate cancer and breast cancer, an expansive eye clinic, a range of dental procedures and facilities for general psychological counselling.
Most of these services are free or carry a nominal fee.
Although the LOC and its sub-committees each have a role to play, Ntshingila explained stakeholders also served to bring people to the health train to take advantage of its services.
“Another spin-off is education. We will identify volunteers who will be educated on the train and then handed over to a first aid provider for further training. We also provide temporary work including kitchen labour and language translation.”
Those who wish to make use of the Phelophepa Train must remember to bring all relevant clinic cards including children’s immunisation cards.
Treatment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Volunteers and staff on the train look forward to seeing residents there, on what many call ‘a primary healthcare clinic on wheels’ and ‘the train of hope’.
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