About Phelophepa Train

 

Transforming the health, quality of life and future hopes of South Africa’s most remote communities

The trains of hope – that is what the Phelophepa Healthcare Trains, the world’s first primary healthcare hospitals on wheels, are known as. The trains make quality medical care accessible to South Africa’s most remote communities, where there is often only a single doctor for every 5 000 people. By providing direct healthcare services as well as education on primary healthcare, the trains have been providing essential care to millions of people for over two decades.

Empowering individuals in remote communities to live quality, healthy lives

The Phelophepa Healthcare Trains comprise two trains that use existing rail infrastructure to deliver vital health-care services to South Africans in remote, rural areas who would otherwise not have access to a doctor or even be aware they had a health problem.

The name ‘Phelophepa’ is Sotho and, roughly translated, means ‘good, clean health’.

The trains travel for 35 to 36 weeks each year visiting a different rural community every week. The main objective of the Phelophepa Healthcare Trains is prevention and early detection of medical conditions as well as screening and education, making people aware of the importance of looking after their own health. The trains provide services where these currently do not exist in communities or enhance existing health services provided by government, and are aligned with government’s national development strategy. The Phelophepa Healthcare Trains are the only primary healthcare trains in the world and recognised as one of the most innovative designs in primary healthcare in South Africa and globally. The trains are housed at the Transnet Foundation, the Corporate Social Investment arm of Transnet SOC Ltd.

A comprehensive health programme of action that heals, educates and inspires

  • The Phelophepa Healthcare Trains run simultaneously from January to October each year

  • Services four provinces each 

  • Both trains boast 19 fully refurbished and equipped coaches

  • Both trains were custom designed and built by Transnet Engineering, an operating division of Transnet SOC Ltd. 

  • More than 40 permanent staff and numerous final year students and community volunteers work on the trains. 

 

Advance teams of community social mobilisers are sent out at least two months before the trains’ arrival to alert the community of the arrival of the train and spread the message that Phelophepa is on the way!  They provide advance messages which educate communities about the availability of its services. The health and psychology based activities offered by the trains are two-fold: providing on-board health services through its five clinics, and outreach programmes that take the services offered by the train to the wider community.

History of the Phelophepa Train

Humble beginnings – it all started with a simple three-carriage eye clinic

  • 1st Train launched in January

  • 3 carriage eye clinic

  • Collaboration between University of Johannesburg and Transnet optometry department

  • Using rail infrastructure to increase healthcare services

  • Equipped with on-board support services with a kitchen, dining car and accommodation facilities for students and staff

  • 2nd Train launched in March

  • Health Awareness Campaigns

  • Using innovative technologies and communications mechanisms to increase the awareness, education and early detection of life threatening cancers and diabetes in communities.

1994

1995

2012

2014

1994

  • 1st Train launched in January

  • 3 carriage eye clinic

  • Collaboration between University of Johannesburg and Transnet optometry department

1995

  • Using rail infrastructure to increase healthcare services

  • Equipped with on-board support services with a kitchen, dining car and accommodation facilities for students and staff

2012

  • 2nd Train launched in March

2014

  • Health Awareness Campaigns

  • Using innovative technologies and communications mechanisms to increase the awareness, education and early detection of life threatening cancers and diabetes in communities.

Services on the dental care carriage

Each train provides a host of screening and healthcare services through their five clinics:

Health Clinic

• Focuses on quality primary patient care and health education initiatives 

• Screening for diabetes, high blood pressure, cervical and prostate cancer

• Provides treatment for common illnesses and ailments

Dental Clinic

• Services include general oral health screening, dental cleaning and oral hygiene education as well as basic restorative procedures (fillings) and extractions.

• Outreach visits to local schools to screen learners for dental problems and to promote oral health.

Eye Clinic

• Comprehensive eye tests and treatment

• Prescription glasses available with immediate, one-day processing

Educational Clinic

• Educates community volunteers in preventive health care at each stop along the journey.

• Equips individuals with essential skills to continue supporting their community's health needs well beyond the train's departure.

Psychology Clinic

• Offers a secure and private setting for individuals to discuss daily struggles and traumatic events with skilled counselors.

• Serves as an important connection to local psychologists, social workers, and additional experts for ongoing support.

Registered Pharmacy

• Dispenses medication up to Schedule 4 to patients.