Health train stops in North West
Jabulani Tshindane
23 July 2004
The internationally acclaimed and award winning health care train - Phelophepa - is in the North West to provide much needed health care services to rural communities.
The provincial health department said the train arrived in the province two weeks ago and had already treated over 2 000 patients, including senior citizens, children and those living with disabilities.
The health train made its first stop in Taung on 5 July where people were treated before it left for Delareyvile where it will be stationed until Friday.
The health care services provided in the train include health education, eye care, dental care as well as counselling services.
"The department welcomes this necessary and timely intervention which assists our primary health care efforts, especially in the Bophirima District which has low numbers of professional health workers," said Health MEC Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
Mayisela said the Phelophepa train will
help educate schoolchildren on health care issues.
"We are pleased that the Phelophepa Health Care Train will also extend its services to schools. We see this as an extension of our school health services," he added.
The schools identified are Onkgopotse Tiro, Rapulana, Thelesho and Mmakgori primary schools.
Learners will be screened and those requiring attention will be referred to the train for treatment.
The train will be in Mafikeng from Saturday until next Friday and will leave for Zeerust where it will stay from 2-6 August.
It will be in Mogwase from 9-13 August.
A major event will be held on 27 August, when international and local partners in this project meet to launch two additional services for cancer and diabetes treatment.
The Transnet Foundation's project started on 10 January 1994 as the first and the only primary health care train in the world, operating as a health and educational facilitator reaching thousands of
rural communities in South Africa.
Source: BuaNews
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