Faculty of Pharmacy
The Transnet Phelophepa Health train is the world's first Health Care Train, bringing hope and better health to rural South Africa. It is a highly sophisticated and capital intensive primary health care train – taking health care to more than 180 000 individuals annually. The train goes to 36 rural areas every year. Services provided by the train include examinations by nurses; provision of medicines and pharmaceutical care; education about basic health issues; examination of eyes and eyesight; dental examinations and psychological assessments.
The Faculty of Pharmacy gives final year and postgraduate students the opportunity to be involved with this worthwhile and rewarding project by assisting in the pharmacy on the train. Students volunteer to work on the train for a week at a time. Students are also given the opportunity to visit the train when it is stationed in Grahamstown. This year (2008) Rhodes was allocated 8 weeks on the train. On the 23 June 2008, the train was also awarded the United Nations Public Service award. The photo shows members of the train as well as members from the 5 universities (that send Pharmacy students) with the award.
From left to right:
Phelophepa
For more information on the Transnet Phelophepa Health Train, go to http://www.phelophepa.co.za
