Mobile train clinic handed over to provinicial government to boost COVID-19 testing
The KZN Health Department's screening and testing programme has been given a boost.
Transnet in partnership with the solidarity fund has handed over its Phelophepa mobile train clinic to the department to increase testing capacity in the province.
KwaZulu Natal has confirmed 1500 cases and 67 positive cases, 45 deaths and 818 recoveries.
The train comprises of 19 coaches, each about 20 metres long and can see about 1500 people a day.
It will move around the province and spend about two weeks in each area.
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Doctor Mathepelo Mashaphu who is the train manager says the train has been serving as a medical clinic for years but will now also include mass screening and testing.
At the launch of the TRANSNET-PHELOPHEPA HEALTHCARE mobile Train Clinic in Phoenix #Durban which will now be used as a testing and screening station for #Covid_19 The clinic will boost the testing capacity for Covid-19 in the province, and is part of local government efforts. pic.twitter.com/oAtZoTwfYu
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) May 19, 2020
Mashapu says the train is meant to service the poorest of the poor.
Once it has completed it's work in Phoenix, it will move to Ugu, Ulundi, Empangeni and Pietermaritzburg.
Inside the train, are multiple cubicles, some with beds and others with chairs where patients will be tested.
