Two of South Africa’s key challenges – road safety and HIV awareness – united under a single initiative to improve the health of those tasked with driving long hours on the road and who typically have limited access to healthcare facilities and treatment.

During the month of December 2013, a road safety and wellness campaign – designed to help truck drivers improve their health – was initiated by a partnership between pharmaceutical manufacturer Adcock Ingram, Swedish truck manufacturer Scania, Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS Programme (SWHAP) and Shell One Stop petrol stations.

Due to the high accident rates on South Africa’s roads, the campaign’s objective was to enhance the health of truck drivers through HIV/AIDS, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and BMI testing.

The initiative was rolled out at Shell Petrol Stations in Midrand, Bloemfontein, Middelburg, Polokwane and Harrismith on select days in December.

The campaign had the assistance of the national traffic police who helped stop truck drivers and directed them to testing stations at the Shell garages where they received information about safety issues. Participating petrol stations were clearly identified with bright red telesophic banners encouraging drivers to ‘Put the Brakes on HIV’, ‘Stop and Take the Test’, ‘Do it for a Day. Do it for Life’ and ‘Adcock Ingram Rethink HIV’.

Besides receiving information on safety issues, Scania technicians were  on-site at participating petrol stations to run a 20-point check on vehicles, conducting small repairs free of charge. Drivers of vehicles in a bad state of repair were advised to return to their depots as soon as possible so that they could duly be overhauled.

Nurses, supplied by Reality wellness group, manned the testing stations at which the truck drivers were screened. The campaign also included a short information session during which drivers received information about health, wellness and road safety.