In 1994, the custom built Phelophepa Healthcare Train, was born to supply quality healthcare to communities where health services and infrastructure were not yet fully in place.
This Transnet Foundation initiative is still welcomed with open arms by the communities it visits throughout South Africa as it not only offers health services, but also provides members of the community an opportunity to earn an income.
The name Phelophepa combines elements of Sotho and Tswana, two of the eleven official languages in South Africa, and roughly translated means “good, clean health”. In rain, shine, heat or cold, patients travel long distances – sometimes walking more than 30 kilometres, to visit Phelophepa. The journey is often followed by queues and long periods of waiting, but the patients all agree, it is well worth it.
This project is about sharing and about caring. Community empowerment can be witnessed at each station, from the preparation phase to well after the train departs from the station (area) it has visited for a week. “I greatly value the tremendous energy and inspired work that has driven this wonderful initiative to the success where it today features internationally as a shining example of healthcare delivery, empowerment and technology in a developing country” Archbishop –Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
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| "I know God is good even when the world makes no sense …" Lizzy Mpya |
It is the South African Government’s philosophy that healthcare should be accessible, affordable and available to all its citizens. Utilising the Transnet infrastructure, as well as the expertise and services of many role-players, the Phelophepa addresses healthcare issues under one roof – providing a simple, one-stop service for its patients. It plays an important role in providing basic healthcare services to our communities. The Phelophepa Train, through the services it offers, demonstrates this basic package of a one-stop approach.
A special team of resident staff live on the train for its annual 9 month operational period. These dedicated healthcare professionals and support staff, together with the Transnet Foundation Office, manage the logistics and supervise the continuous stream of final year students from leading academic institutions all over South Africa, who participate to gain invaluable practical experience for two weeks at a time. Annually, approximately 1 200 final year students practice on board Phelophepa.
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| "Phelophepa broadens my knowledge..." Cecilia Dintwa |
Only a healthy nation can be a productive nation and to revive our economy we need a highly productive work-force. If the majority of our people are not in good health, or emotionally scarred by trauma and experiences of the past, this achievement will remain but a dream.
The services rendered on the train enhance existing primary health care services, or provide services where these currently do not exist. The major objective of services rendered by the Phelophepa team is that of screening and education, making people aware of looking after their own health.
Approximately seventy local volunteers per week render support services such as interpreting, cleaning, pitching of tents alongside the train.