diff --git a/php/dbtest.php b/php/dbtest.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c245112
--- /dev/null
+++ b/php/dbtest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+<?php
+
+ // simple script to test if MySQL is reachable (healthcheck)
+ // SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+ $user = 'healthcheck';
+ $pass = 'checkhealth';
+ $host = '172.22.150.133';
+ $database = 'test';
+ $query = "select count(*) from health";
+
+ $link = mysql_connect($host,$user,$pass);
+ if ($link) {
+   if (mysql_select_db($database,$link)) {
+     if (mysql_query($query,$link)) {
+       mysql_close($link);
+       print("OK\n");
+       exit(0);
+     }
+   }
+ }
+ $status = mysql_error();
+ if ($link) { mysql_close(); }
+
+ header("X-Health-Status: down",false,503);
+ print($status."\n");
+
+?>