Emakhazeni - A campaign to ensure that drivers stay in good health is underway in Mpumalanga, with hundreds of truck drivers already screened for various diseases.
The Driver Wellness campaign started at different Engen garages across the province at the beginning of this month. The initiative, which is a partnership between Engen and Trucking Wellness, saw several mobile clinics, nurses and counsellors being stationed at the garages to help drivers get tested.
“We appreciate what the campaign does to encourage us to get tested because early detection can save many lives. We are always on the road and we don’t get time to visit our nearest clinics when we are at home,” said Henry Mngomezulu, a long distance truck driver who was tested in Emakhazeni on Friday.
The campaign is expected to reach thousands of drivers and to cover 17 Engen sites by the end of October 2013.
Engen Petroleum spokesperson Tania Landsberg said the annual campaign is aimed at educating long distance truck drivers about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on the road servicing the economy.
“The Driver Wellness campaign is run at selected Engen Truck Stops and retail sites. Drivers get an opportunity to go for free voluntary screening in mobile clinics by qualified nurses and councillors for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, tuberculosis, BMI (Body Mass Index) and HIV and Aids,” said Landsberg.
The programme also provides counselling and a referral service where required.
She said in 2012, 841 drivers presented themselves for screening as compared to 400 in 2011.
Landsberg said this year, the intention is to increase the number of drivers screened by 30%.
Corporate social investment manager at Engen, Khanyisa Balfour, said it is important for Engen to be part of efforts that promote health.
“We are pleased to continue playing a role in informing, educating and raising awareness about the impact of health issues and chronic diseases in relation to road safety.
“We believe initiatives such as these can make a real difference in road safety in the long run and encourage a healthy lifestyle change in professional drivers,” said Balfour.
Balfour said the Belfast truck stop is one of many around the country where drivers rest overnight after spending long hours on the road during the day.
The campaign is set to cover most regions of South Africa and the campaign will next be taken to KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za
