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Tenth anniversary of health care train
2004-04-16

Hundreds of people gathered in Umtata for the 10th birthday celebrations of the Phelophepa Health Care Train. Addressing the health care professionals, students, government officials and children gathered at the railway station, Transnet chairman Dr Bongani Khumalo said Phelophepa was recognised as a sterling example of how rural communities can be given access to health care and other basic services through innovative use of existing infrastructure and facilities. What began as a modest idea has evolved into an effective primary care service in the country.

Hundreds of people gathered in Umtata for the 10th birthday celebrations of the Phelophepa Health Care Train. Addressing the health care professionals, students, government officials and children gathered at the railway station, Transnet chairman Dr Bongani Khumalo said Phelophepa was recognised as a sterling example of how rural communities can be given access to health care and other basic services through innovative use of existing infrastructure and facilities. 

What began as a modest idea has evolved into an effective primary care service in the country. 

He said the train was initiated to express his company's commitment to people in the rural areas of the country. 

The train, he said, is our highest profile contributor that seeks to augment health care given by government to the outlying communities in the peri-urban and rural areas of our land. 

Khumalo also thanked the local and international medical professionals for their support and appealed on other companies to contribute to the train. 

Events at the gathering included the lighting of a flame of hope by Khumalo, and songs and dance from the local people. 

The celebrations were attended by high profile business leaders and community leaders, including the local queen Nolusapho Ndamase. 

On the train, which has been in Umtata since Sunday, health care workers were offering treatment to hundreds of patients from local communities. Phelophepa Health Care Train has been in operation since 1994. Its services were aimed at rural peoples in South Africa who had no access to health care. (Source: SAPA, Business Day, 8 April 2004)

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