Phelophepa
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Phelophepa is the name of a health train in South Africa . Phelophepa is an artificial word from the languages Sesotho and Setswana and means good, clean health . The train has been on the road for nine months a year since 1994. This “clinic on rails” is similar to a polyclinic .
Description of the train and operation of the clinic
The Phelophepa health train is around 350 meters long and weighs - without the locomotive - over 600 tons. The train has 18 cars (as of 2013). The train is financed by the South African company Transnet , which operates rail freight transport in the country, the University of Johannesburg in Johannesburg and a number of other supporters, including the pharmaceutical company Roche .
The train stops at various locations in rural areas for five days in order to offer the local population basic medical care. Special examinations in the fields of ophthalmology , dentistry , psychology as well as various laboratory tests and X-ray diagnostics are also offered in the vehicles of the train .
On the first day of an operation, the train stops at a station. A few tents and waiting areas are set up near the train. This is followed by about three to four days of practice. The staff includes 23 permanent employees (including security staff) and around 40 medical students each, who prepare for their profession and do internships of two weeks each.
history
In 1993, the health train was started for the first time with three cars and an eye clinic. One of the initiators was the South African Lynette Coetzee. As early as 1994 the train had 13 carriages with ophthalmologists, health trainers and general practitioners . In 1995 the train was expanded to 15 cars and could now also carry a dental clinic and an X-ray station. At the end of 1996 the train was expanded to include another car. The previous dental car became a psychology practice, the new car became a dental clinic. In 1998 the X-ray clinic's car was also converted into a dental car.
meaning
The employees of the health train treat over 180,000 patients annually. Since 1994, 452,657 people have received medical treatment. In addition, 746,828 people took part in health training and medical training (as of 2007).
Many people, especially women in rural areas, receive medical help for the first time in their lives. For example, severely visually impaired people can see their surroundings for the first time through glasses. Many patients have walked for days.
Most of the diseases to be treated are an expression of the widespread poverty in rural areas. Many people suffer from tooth decay , protracted pneumonia, or breathing problems, some of which are caused by the use of petroleum . Many children have worm infections .
The Phelophepa employees can not take on the further treatment of cancer and diabetes patients, as the train only stops at a train station every two years. Even AIDS is not treated. However, the employees can count on the support of clinics, doctors and social workers in the region - and sometimes even on the help of traditional medicine men . If a chronic illness is diagnosed, patients are referred to the nearest clinic for further treatment.
Funding, sponsors, support
The Phelophepa Health Train is financially supported by academic institutions, government agencies, communities, various companies and societies, both from South Africa and internationally.
- In 2013 the budget was around 25 million South African rand .
- Transnet alone pays around 70 percent of the running costs, which amount to around 875,000 Rand (around 70,000 euros, as of September 2007) per month.
- In addition, Transnet has transferred the equivalent of around one million euros as a capital investment to Phelophepa.
- Small additional payments are required for the treatment: drugs cost the equivalent of one euro, glasses cost the patient a contribution of 30 rand in 2005 (around 2.50 euros in 2008).
- The financial means are insufficient, so that further donors are sought.
Documentary film
The documentary Phelophepa - The Train of Hope was produced in Germany in 2004 and broadcast on arte on February 25, 2005 .
See also
literature
- Pete Smith: A rolling hospital brings hope to the hopeless . In: Ärzte Zeitung of November 22, 2003
Web links
- Phelophepa - Train of Hope (official website)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b The doctor comes by train . In: Le Monde Diplomatique , August 2013, p. 12