Hundreds queue for clinic train
LONG queues of city residents, many of whom spent hours and even days waiting to receive medical treatment at the Kimberley Train Station, have illustrated the need for accessible and comprehensive public health care as staff of the world’s most prolific mobile clinic are inundated with patients.
Since its inception in 1994, Phelophepa, meaning “good, clean, health”, has used South Africa’s existing railway network to reach in excess of 20 million patients, making it the most prolific mobile clinic on earth.
The train’s 18 carriages are equipped with modern medical equipment and manned by 20 resident staff members, who travel to many remote communities offering dental, optometry, psychological, nursing and pharmaceutical services.
These services are aimed at assisting patients who cannot afford private health care and/or struggle to access public health for various reasons.
“We have five clinics on the train and have been extremely busy since we pulled into the Kimberley Station last Monday (August 20),” said Phelophepa spokesperson, Lynette Flusk, yesterday.
“By the end of last week, we had already seen more than 1 500 patients, with various ailments, and are expecting similar numbers this week. We are likely to be busy right up until we leave on Friday.”
Flusk said that optometrists, in particular, were in high demand with some residents even braving the cold overnight to wait for medical attention.
“We help patients on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis and use coloured stickers to streamline the process. We start seeing patients from 7.30am every day and there have been members of the public camping out just to receive medical treatment.
“We could definitely use more help on the optometry side as many of the patients who have camped overnight have done so because they are not sure when they will be able to have their eyes tested or get glasses elsewhere.”
While various services and tests are conducted for free, Flusk said that there was some cost to patients for several treatments and pharmaceuticals.
“Diabetic and dental screenings, eye tests and counselling are all free services,” she said. “However, we charge R5 for a prescription and R30 for a pair of glasses. There is also some charge for dental work including extractions, fillings and cleanings.
“These costs are not for profit but are intended to give value to these crucial services and a greater sense of dignity for the patient.”
While most of the patients who spent the night at the train station had left by lunchtime yesterday, hundreds of patients still waited for their number to be called yesterday afternoon.
“If I had to wait for the clinic to get my glasses, I could be waiting for years,” said Rebecca Mohale. “I arrived here before the sun was up and have been waiting all day for the doctor, but at least I’m going to get what I need.
“I’ve been struggling to see for years so a few more hours aren’t going to hurt.”
The mobile clinic departs from Kimberley this weekend.