Communities living along the Kei Rail line between Mbhashe and King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal areas can now access free healthcare service thanks to the Phelophepha health train.
The health train arrived on 16 January 2012 and is currently providing free healthcare service at Zamukulungisa Station in Mthatha. It is expected to visit various railway lines throughout the Eastern Cape until May 2012.
It provides health clinic, eye clinic, dental clinic and counselling/Psychology service to the needy people of the Eastern Cape and will be staying from 1 or 2 weeks at each station from Mthatha through to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro via Mbhashe, Buffalo City and Nkonkobe municipalities.
The following service will be offered free of charge: health education, diabetic screening, pap smear, prostate screening, breast screening, eye screening, dental education and screening and as well as councelling.
Stations in which the train will be servicing the community in the Kei Rail line include Mthatha (Zamukulungisa), Dutywa and Sihota.
Phelophepa Routes: 2012 – Eastern Cape
| King Sabatha Dalintyhebo Municipality | Mthatha (Zamakulungisa Station. Kwa-Payne eDalubuhle J.S School) | 16 January – 27 January 2012 |
| Mbhashe Municipality |
Dutywa (Dutywa) Sihota (Kie Bridge) |
30 January – 10 February 2012 13 February – 17 February 2012 |
| Buffalo City Metro Municipality |
Mdantsane (Mt Ruth) Dimbaza |
5 March – 16 March 2012 19 March – 23 March 2012 |
| Nkonkobe Municipality |
Middledrift Alice Fort Beaufort |
26 March – 30 March 2012 23 April – 27 April 2012 |
| Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality |
Hermitage (Addo Swartkops |
30 April – 4 May 2012 7 May – 18 May 2012 |
“We call upon all the people living along these routes to make maximum use of this opportunity to access quality healthcare,” says Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
Operationally, Kei Rail passenger services continue to grow in leaps and bounds. A total of 69 780 passengers were transported since the re-introduction of the service on 10 June 2011 up to 19 January 2012. There was a 58% growth through the sale of 12 993 tickets between Mthatha and AmaBhele during December holidays. On 19 December 2011, a record 1037 passengers were transported.
“The market demand is there! The passenger volumes clearly show that we took a right decision to get this service back on track,” said Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
Commuters are encouraged to report any incident or accident to our customer care centre through our toll free number 0800 644 644.
