Long queues, and opportunities, at Phelophepha train
Chris Hani District residents flocked to receive healthcare services from the Phelophepha Train 2, with the chance to get spectacles at only R30 a pair for the two-week duration the train was in Komani station.
The train also presented an economic opportunity for street vendors who sold food in the area. Meanwhile, local youths benefited by receiving temporary jobs at the train’s four clinics and programmes.
Residents who came from Cacadu, Cofimvaba, Tsomo, Tentergate and Mitford for eye consultations slept just outside the station entrance from when it arrived last Sunday when the list of names climbed to more than 200.
Mshiywa Speelman, 78, from Mitford, had hired transportation with other community members to get to the station on Sunday.
He said: “I have been living without glasses for six years and had to spend the night here on Sunday. But because I was number 91 on the list, I had to spend a second night, because the train only accommodated 90 people at the eye clinic on the first day.”
Rosilina Hayi of Mlungisi, who was waiting in the queue for assistance, said she had gone home without receiving glasses the last time the train was in Komani.
Noluthando Koyi from Ezibeleni, who was there for the first time, said: “I will be number six on Tuesday. We froze while we were sleeping here overnight. If we do not sleep here again our names will be scrapped and replaced with someone else.”
Acting train manager and physiological clinic manager Nomni Pukwana said the eye clinic ran tests for eye problems and people were provided with glasses, but in severe cases patients were referred to local hospitals for further assistance. She said the number of people accepted at the eye clinic would be raised from 90 to 130.
The dental services is the second-most demanded service for tooth extractions, fillings, scaling and cleaning services. On Monday 65 patients were attended to.
The health clinic was also available, along with psychological counselling, to assist those who were struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, trauma and depression.
“To reach larger numbers we do outreach programmes for schools, to see if pupils and teachers are well and if they have any psychological issues that they are struggling with,” Pukwana said.