South Africa's health train becomes an important source of free medical care

On September 12, 2024, news from Johannesburg. In South Africa, a former passenger train has been transformed into a mobile medical facility, bringing hope to the people.

In the early morning, Sesiwe Malangu, due to an eye problem, did not go to a nearby clinic but went to the train station to seek special medical services. This train, named "PhilophiPa", has been carrying medical staff on tours around South Africa every year for the past 30 years, providing primary health care to about 375,000 people. It is especially helpful for those who have difficulty accessing medical services at local clinics.

There is a serious inequality in healthcare in South Africa. About 84% of people rely on the public healthcare system, while only 16% have medical insurance. And with high unemployment rates, many people cannot afford it. Although the government signed the National Health Insurance Bill this year, the bill is controversial and the source of funds is not clear. Critics believe that the public healthcare system should be repaired first.

For people like Malangu, the local clinics are in a bad situation, facing long queues, shortages of medicines, and problems with nurses' attitudes. The "health train" has grown from its initial three carriages to two trains with 16 carriages now, and is operated by the Transnet Foundation. When it started operating in 1994, many black South Africans had difficulty accessing medical facilities. Now it serves the population of Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Public health experts point out that since 1994, the healthcare budget and the number of healthcare workers employed have increased, but corruption has led to the deterioration of the performance of the public healthcare system. For South Africans who have witnessed the decline, when the "health train" enters towns, it brings relief. Hundreds of people like Malangu are satisfied with its services and are eager for the train to come again next year. Another patient, Jane Mabusa, also hopes that the train can benefit more people. Although the "health train" is not a fundamental solution to medical problems, it has currently become an important source of free medical care in South Africa.