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submitted 3 months ago by girlfreddy@lemmy.ca to c/world@lemmy.world

A passenger train known as Phelophepa — or “good, clean, health” in the Sesotho language — had been transformed into a mobile health facility. It circulates throughout South Africa for much of the year, providing medical attention to the sick, young and old who often struggle to receive the care they need at crowded local clinics.

For the past 30 years — ever since South Africa’s break with the former racist system of apartheid — the train has carried doctors, nurses and optometrists on an annual journey that touches even the most rural villages, delivering primary healthcare to about 375,000 people a year.

The free care it delivers is in contrast to South Africa’s overstretched public health care system on which about 84% of people rely.

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[-] notaviking@lemmy.world 8 points 3 months ago

As a South African, I was unaware of this marvelous train. I really hope change happens so that such a train is not necessary in the future.

But for now and the foreseeable future may this amazing initiative have a wonderful future

[-] tal@lemmy.today 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I distinctly remember reading about Russian hospital trains that acted a similar way. They didn't have the resources to stick a permanent hospital staffed 365 days a year in every little village. But a train was large enough to haul a lot of facilities from place-to-place and take care of stuff that wasn't super-urgent.

https://www.newsweek.com/2017/05/19/russia-trains-medical-care-607346.html

https://rollingstockworld.com/passenger-cars/rzd-and-russian-health-ministry-present-hospital-train/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospital_train

Ukraine apparently is operating hospital trains, but that's due to the war, and I dunno if that's gonna continue on during peacetime:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/12/europe/ukraine-hospital-train-wounded-soldiers-intl/index.html

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Why is the thumbnail someone in steampunk utility glasses

[-] AnalogJack@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago

It’s a loose lens frame used to check someone for a glasses prescription.

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

Ah that makes sense, thats pretty cool. Thank you.

[-] girlfreddy@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I don't have a thumb nail pic showing, so no idea.

[-] MediaBiasFactChecker@lemmy.world -3 points 3 months ago

Associated Press - News Source Context (Click to view Full Report)Information for Associated Press:

MBFC: Left-Center - Credibility: High - Factual Reporting: High - United States of America
Wikipedia about this source

Search topics on Ground.Newshttps://apnews.com/article/south-africa-health-train-9731c495b4c3e0d5573a019be0f38704
Media Bias Fact Check | bot support

this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2024
59 points (100.0% liked)

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