Trucking Wellness & HIV Treatment

Introduction

Trucking Wellness (TW) is an initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI), which was launched in 1999.

The aim of Trucking Wellness is to provide primary healthcare to those employed within the Road Freight and Logistics (RFL) Industry, driver spouses and commercial sex workers.

Over the years, TW has evolved into a sustainable model of primary healthcare delivery to key populations and has become a sterling example of a successful and sustainable public-private partnership.

Background

Trucking Wellness (previously known as Trucking Against AIDS) was launched to create awareness around HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections amongst long-distance truck drivers, commercial sex workers and those at risk such as driver spouses and partners.

Since 1999 the Programme has experienced exponential growth as a result of incorporating an extensive range of free primary healthcare services. These services are offered via the Programme’s 20 Trucking Wellness Roadside Centers, which are situated at truck stops across major routes in South Africa and supported by a fleet of sleek Mobile Wellness Centers. The incorporation of mobile clinics is a more innovative way of looking after our valued members in the trucking industry because we now work on a system where we book a vehicle for ten days at a time for one specific area and then service all companies within that region. As a result, we are able to serve more members than ever before and work towards a healthier and more vibrant trucking industry.

Since the establishment of the Wellness Centers, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of people gaining access to primary healthcare and being counselled about and tested for HIV infection.

Additionally, we have increased our efforts to educate and motivate those within the trucking industry to live healthier lifestyles in general thereby creating a more productive labour force. These support efforts by the NBCRFLI directly reduce labour risk and expenses to members and positively impact the stability and growth of the industry and the South African economy.

Trucking Wellness Primary Healthcare Services

Condom use education and distribution
STI screening diagnosis, treatment and education
HIV awareness, information, education, counselling and testing
Referrals to appropriate service providers for ART as well as HIV and AIDS treatment and care
TB awareness, information, education, screening and referrals for treatment and care
Malaria awareness, information, education, screening and referrals for treatment and care
Screening tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol and body mass index
Diagnosis, treatment, care and support of primary health problems or concerns

Trucking Wellness Support

Trucking Wellness enjoys the support of the 2 industry unions (SATAWU and M.T.W.U) as well as the Road Freight Associations (RFA) and the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA). It is funded by the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) N3TC, Reef Tankers and Unitrans. Our Partners also includes SA Business Coalition on Health & AIDS (SABCOHA) and Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Transport. Lastly, Trucking Wellness is managed by the Corridor Empowerment Project (CEP), on behalf of the NBCRFLI. Through the combined efforts of the above-mentioned corporations, Trucking Wellness has continued to experience year-on-year success since its inception.