Phelophepa Healthcare Train prepares to roll into Newcastle

The Phelophepa Healthcare Train is set to roll into Newcastle in January 2024, offering truly affordable healthcare services to the community.

Scheduled to arrive on 22 January 2024, the train’s medical team will provide treatment until 26 January 2024, take a weekend break, and resume operations from 29 January 2024 until 2 February 2024.

Collaborating closely with Transnet and the Department of Health, the Newcastle Municipality is working to ensure the success of the medical train’s visit. In January 2023, Newcastillian News reported that the healthcare train might not return to Newcastle due to technical issues at the local train station. However, extensive efforts have been made by the Municipality and role players, resulting in the train heading back into town.

For more details on why the Phelophepa Train initially faced challenges in returning to Newcastle, click here.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, 9 January 2024, the Newcastle Municipality held a planning meeting to address various aspects of the healthcare train’s stop. Planning considerations included the appropriate disposal of medical waste, on-site law enforcement for emergencies, and ensuring an adequate water supply during the stop.

Expressing a concern, Andile Masondo of Newcastle Municipality highlighted the risk of patients walking into the train station along a busy road. “The last time the Phelophepa Train was in Newcastle, was back in 2019. At the time, a woman was knocked over by a car, and she unfortunately passed on. We will need to take steps to ensure this does not happen again,” Masondo stated.

To mitigate this risk, traffic officials will be stationed outside the train station to monitor road safety. SANTACO will also assist by providing transport for residents who require it directly into the property.

Following the prep meeting, officials from the Newcastle Municipality, Transnet, the Health Department and the Amajuba District Municipality conducted a site inspection at the Newcastle Train station to start evaluating if the site was ready for the Phelophepa Train.

As preparations intensify for the healthcare train’s visit, the following services will be available for residents:

• HIV/AIDS and TB screening and testing
• COVID-19 vaccinations
• Diabetic screenings and cancer education
• Medicine at a cost of R5 per prescription
• Free eye tests
• Glasses are available at a cost of R30
• Eyedrops available for a fee of R5
• Dental clinic offering free screenings, with procedures such as fillings and cleaning at a cost of R10. All procedures for children aged 15 and younger will be done for free.
• Counselling services to help people cope with stress, abuse, death, and parenting discipline will also be available at no charge.

With the train’s medical team bringing medical services to the less fortunate, a representative from the Amajuba District Municipality noted that the Phelophepa Train would be able to offer services to residents from Utrecht and Dannhauser as well, as long as the residents were able to get to Newcastle.

As the Phelophepa Train prepares to deliver affordable healthcare to Newcastle, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comment section below.