20 March 2007
The Free State Department of Health and Transnet Foundation have embarked on
a groundbreaking programme to make healthcare accessible to all citizens of the
Free State through a 16 coach train called "Phelophepa." MEC for Health, Mr
Sakhiwo Belot will be visiting clients attending to the services. He will also
meet with Phelophepa train staff members on the 22 March 2007 at 10h00.
Date: 19 to 23 March 2007
Time: 10h00
Venue: Bloemfontein Hamilton Station
Phelophepa: a hybrid name derived from Sotho and Tswana and meaning "good
health" - has been operating as a mobile primary healthcare clinic since 1994.
It is funded primarily by the Transnet Foundation, whose aim is to support the
Department of Health in providing healthcare services to different communities
in the province.
The following services will be offered at the train:
Health clinic:
* consultation free
* health education free
* medicine - per prescription - R5
* no immunisations done at train
* no family planning done at train.
Eye clinic
* screening free
* eye test R10
* made-up glasses per pair - R30
* readers - R30
* glasses and test - R40
* no operations done at train.
Dental clinic
* screening and education free
* extractions and fillings
* adults - 1 & 2 teeth - R10
* adults - 3 or more teeth - R15
* children - R5.
Counselling/Psychology
* workshops
* to cope with life's problems, such as
* stress - abuse - conflict
* parenting - discipline
* free of charge.
Phelophepa train draws together diverse stakeholders from the private and
public sectors, and the staff provide not just the human touch, but also the
psychological healing that is much needed by the people of the Free State
province.
It has been the national Department of Health's philosophy that healthcare
should be accessible, affordable and available to all citizens.
You are welcome to use this photo opportunity.
Enquiries:
Elke De Witt
Cell: 083 561 6517
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
20 March 2007
