Train of Hope offers Covid-19 tests in Stutterheim

As the Eastern Cape recorded 148 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, making it the province with the third highest number of confirmed cases, scores of residents were screened and tested in Stutterheim.

The Eastern Cape had 1,504 confirmed cases on Tuesday and a death toll of 24. Nationally, confirmed cases stood at 11,350 with 206 deaths.

Early on Tuesday Thandikhaya Citwa, 55, was one of the Stutterheim residents to visit the Phelophepa “Train of Hope” that arrived in the small town and immediately started with free mass screening and testing for the coronavirus.

The Amahlathi municipality EMS manager said he had mixed emotions as he made his way to the train.

“I heard last week that people in Stutterheim would get free testing and I decided to be one of the first to get tested.

“I had mixed feelings. I do not know what the results will be when they come back.”

Health workers and security officers ensured social distancing was maintained as people queued to be screened or tested.

Citwa said: “We thank them for coming to our area for this mass screening and testing. I am one of the health workers and we are exposed because we are dealing with patients all the time.

“It is good for us to know our status so as not to infect other people. I have encouraged my staff to get tested as well.”

The train, which has been running for 26 years and boasts a team of permanent staff, will spend the next eight weeks on the rails screening and testing people of the Eastern Cape for Covid-19.

Train manager Bheki Mendlula said the health clinic on wheels, which normally offers eye and dental care, as well as counselling and screening for illnesses such as diabetes and medical dispensary services, has temporarily shelved its “normal services”.

“Only screening and testing for Covid-19 will take place on board the train,” he said.

“We have been in the province since January and we have suspended our normal operations.

“The department of health requested that we come and assist [with screening and testing for Covid-19].”

The train leaves Stutterheim next week and will be stationed in Mdantsane, Dutywa and Mthatha until the end of June.

Phelophepa means “Good Clean Health” in Tswana and Sotho.

Citwa said they started by screening government and municipal officials in the morning.

“We do not want people to stay for too long because there is a potential of them being exposed should we find positive people in the area, hence we work at high speed.”

Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba held a special candlelight ceremony in commemoration of International Nurses Day.

She urged citizens to get tested for Covid-19.

“People are anxious because of the way Covid-19 has been portrayed on TV. We have seen people dying in hospitals in other countries but we encourage our people to get tested and not to be scared.”

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