Engen in partnership with the NGO Trucking Wellness, the Department of Roads and Transport and the Department of Health kicked off Transport Month yesterday with the launch of the Engen Driver Wellness Campaign at the Engen Kempston Truck Stop in East London.
The initiative is aimed at raising awareness around health issues and helping truck drivers to manage their wellness proactively. The programme is based at truck stops, which provide testing by qualified nursing sisters for blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, BMI (Base Mass Index) and HIV/AIDS.
Engen Petroleum has a large fleet of 180 bulk truck vehicles on the road and undertook the project to help its truck drivers stay healthy, while offering the same assistance to other truck drivers and road users during their long distance travels. Engen kick started the project at the truck stop in East London, which is equipped with two mobile clinics, professional nurses and counsellors who conduct tests and counsel the drivers on their health and well-being.
“At Engen, we believe it is pertinent to be part of these efforts to create awareness about the well-being of truck drivers in general and those that represent Engen on the road. Such initiatives form a substantial part of our Corporate Social Investment objectives and our commitment to be a responsible, caring company,” says Khanyisa Balfour, Corporate Social Investment Manager at Engen.
“The idea of running the Driver Wellness campaign links up well with the start of Transport Month and we are pleased to have played a role in informing, educating and offering options to those diagnosed with illnesses, while also encouraging those that are healthy to maintain their healthy lifestyle and take adequate precautions moving forward,” she added
On the launch day the medical and health tests with the truck drivers took place from the afternoon until late (between 5pm – 11pm) as the Engen Kempston Stop is one of many stops around the country where the drivers rest overnight, after spending long hours on the road during the day.
Also present at the campaign-launch to officially set in motion the start of Transport Month was the MEC for Transport in the Eastern Cape, Ms Thandiswa Marawu.
The launch of the Engen Driver Wellness Campaign will be followed by several similar activations in other regions such as the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng throughout October.
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