Engen Petroleum’s annual driver wellness programme has landed in Gauteng, offering free health screenings for truck drivers at two truck stops.

As part of the programme, which is linked to Transport Month, Engen has invited all truck drivers to receive voluntary health screenings.

The initiative has impacted positively on the country’s bulk truck driver operators and continued to increase driver participation in voluntary screenings and improved health scores over the years according to Engen.

The  driver wellness programme will run over a seven month period, from April to the end of October, and reach 21 sites in five provinces.

The health screenings are conducted by qualified nurses and councillors where blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, tuberculosis, BMI (Body Mass Index) and HIV/AIDS are tested.

Improving health through awareness

Engen’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, Mntu Nduvane says that the main aim of this initiative is to improve health through awareness. “Education helps to remind drivers and our employees why their health is important and how life choices impact on their well-being. Ultimately this increases their health, safety and productivity.”

“There have been marked increases in the number of individuals using the service we provide which is a clear indication that this intervention is making a difference to the wellbeing of drivers and will ultimately lead to a healthier industry,” adds Nduvane.

As testing is voluntary, the incremental acceptance of health management as a path to longevity and wellbeing are important indicators that health empowerment is gaining traction.

Given the long and lonely hours long haul drivers spend on the road and the stresses associated with the job, these interventions form a critical pillar of support.

The screenings are taking place at Engen Market Gateway, Majorie Street, City Deep on October 17th from 09:00-15:00 and Engen Highveld 1 Stop North and South Bound, along the R21 Highway on October 18th from 07:00-15:00.