The Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Bakwena) demonstrated its commitment to improving the lives of North West community members, when it initiated and hosted a Truckers Wellness Day along the N4 Toll route on Wednesday, April 17 2013. A total of 72 drivers participated in this initiative.
The campaign, which was carried out together with the North West (NW) Department of Health and NW Traffic Department, aims to encourage truck drivers in the province to be responsible and take care of their health.
NW Department of Health’s Manus Koukeas, who served as the Senior Life Support Person for the Trucker’s Wellness Day, notes that Bakwena’s initiative will greatly benefit North West truckers.
“Many truckers in the North West Province have chronic illnesses, and desperately require medical assistance. As such, it is crucial that those in the private sector aid us in helping to create a more widespread impact in achieving this goal, which is exactly what has occurred with regards to this initiative.
“We would therefore like to thank Bakwena for initiating this campaign, as many truckers will now be far more aware of their medical status, and will have the necessary information required to either maintain or improve their overall health.”
Truckers who stopped at the mobile unit next to the N4 had access to tests for key health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, cholesterol, eyesight and HIV status. These tests were carried out on a voluntary and confidential basis, and participants were provided with the results of the tests and advised to consult their doctor or clinic for further testing, should any health risks have been identified. Further, counselling was also made available to truckers requiring or wanting these services.
Bakwena CEO Graeme Blewitt concludes that the initiation of the Trucker’s Wellness Day conforms to the company’s organisational directives.
“Bakwena is deeply committed to ensuring that we don’t only add value to communities by building an outstanding road system, but also contribute positively to their welfare. We are therefore delighted to have had the opportunity to organise the Trucker’s Wellness Day, and to have played our part in helping to create better health awareness for truckers in the North West community.”’