The train that delivers healthcare - 16th July 2021

A train has arrived at Dube station in Soweto, South Africa. But rather than preparing to depart with passengers, it's delivering healthcare.

The train is equipped with instruments for dentistry, optometry and psychology, as well as general medicine. It also has a pharmacy and treats hundreds of people who rely on its services.

Law student Retshephile Mosena has needed glasses for two years. However, she couldn't afford them or an examination.

Restshepile Mosena: "Glasses are really expensive! Eye tests are expensive and the glasses are even more expensive, so I couldn't really afford them at the time, ja. So I was kind of saving up to buy glasses for myself, but this opportunity came up and I took it."

Although South Africa’s economy is the continent’s most successful, many still live in poverty and the unemployment rate is high. This makes healthcare unaffordable for many.

Optometrist Thompho Sadiki finds his work on the health train rewarding.

Thompho Sadiki: "It's, it’s, it’s great, it's great. Some, sometimes you, you, you, you can even hear it from the, you know, from the heart when you are helping someone who, who has never been exposed to, to health service. Then you can see – well yeah – you have done something for, for, for someone, yes."

The train crosses the country 9 months of the year. It’s called Phelophepa, which means ‘good, clean health’ in the Tswana and Sotho languages. When the service began in 1994, with the end of apartheid, it had three coaches and only treated eye conditions.

Since then, the train has expanded to offer a wide range of healthcare services from 19 coaches. Its manager, Thelma Sateka, knows more is needed.

Thelma Sateke: "Well, the hundred percent health coverage is, is still not about to be reached any time soon. So, the train still has a lot to do in that regard to bring the services to the rural areas, where services are non-existent at some point or, or they are very rare."