UCT awards Health Train pioneer an honorary doctorate

Manager of the Transnet Phelophepa health care train, known to millions as South Africa's 'Miracle Health Train', the train covers 15, 000 km of rail across four provinces and sees close to 45,000 patients a year. Dr Cingo is widely recognised for her efforts in bringing health care to places where they are out of reach.

Born in 1938, Cingo started her career as a registered general nurse. She spent thirty years of her life in London, England, gaining professional training in medical and paramedical fields.

She holds a postgraduate qualification in neuro-surgical disciplines. She is qualified in tropical medicine and holds a diploma in psychology, a master's degree in counselling psychology and a certificate in HIV/AIDS counselling.

Her nursing career was equally successful, being nominated twice for the Nurse of the Year in London during the 1970s and presented to Queen Elizabeth as the best neuro-surgical nurse in London in 1975.

In March 1998, she received a Probe Dental Award from the British Dental Association for her role in bringing health care services to rural South Africa.

Lillian has been nominated for recognition in the sixth edition of the American Biographical Institutes, 'International Who's Who of Professional and Business Women' and was also nominated for their Women of the Year - 1999.

The International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England, nominated Lillian as one of their 2000 twentieth century Intellectuals. She received an Honourary Doctrate in Education from the Tavistock Centre and the University of London East, as well as a degree of Doctor Curatonis, honoris causa, from the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

Cingo is also the joint winner in the Health Category of the Shoprite Checkers SABC 3 Women of the Year 2000 awards
In 2001, she received an honourary degree of Doctor of Public Service from the Willamette University, Salem, USA.

Despite this distinguished career, the highlight of Dr Lilian's work is her selfless contribution to the Phelophepa Train.
The world's first fully-fledged health care train is run by South Africa's state owned rail carrier, Transnet. Phelopepha started out as a three-carriage optometry unit in 1993 offering tests to rural people and is now 16 carriages long. It is a vast operation that brings the additional services of an onboard pharmacy, cancer screening and education, pyschology and health, optometry and dental clinics, as well as diabetes, prostate and PAP smear tests to over 40,000 people every year. Managed by Transnet Foundation, the train is constantly being upgraded. “We are truly delighted to see Lilian receive this honour,” says acting Head, Transnet Foundation, Susie Mabie. “She has a very distinguished history and her dedication to servicing the thousands of people who anticipate the train's visit is unquestioned. The Foundation and the whole of the Transnet group salutes her as our Phelophepa ambassador and this well-deserved honour.”

The University of Cape Town will award Cingo a Doctor of Social Science degree, honoris causa on the 13 June 2008. “I am deeply honoured, humbled and proud to accept” says Cingo.