South Africa – Health MEC Visits Health Train In Gauteng

By: Thandeka Kosa, South Africa

Scores of community members from within and around Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa, heeded the call to use the opportunity to get health services from the Transnet Phelophepa healthcare train.

Two state-of-the-art mobile healthcare trains have been moving across four districts in the province, with one of the trains currently stationed at the Vereeniging train station from 12th to 23rd August 2024.

According to Sedibeng Ster, a local newspaper, the trains boast fully equipped clinics for eye care, dental care, general health, psychology, pharmaceutical services and an educational clinic.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, conducted a visit to assess the provision of healthcare services on the train. The MEC was joined by officials from Transnet, the Gauteng Department of Health, the Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor, and other officials.

The partnership between the Gauteng Department of Health and the Phelophepa Transnet Foundation was established in 2023 in efforts to deploy health trains across four regions of the province.

Nkomo-Ralehoko used the opportunity to engage with residents who expressed their delight at the train’s arrival in the region to assist them with services to better their health.

Nkomo-Ralehoko told residents that it is important that they get sufficient healthcare services. The MEC was met with positive answers when she asked patients who had already been treated and what they thought about the train.