In a vocation where fatigue, dietary shortfalls and lack of physical exercise take a quiet toll, truck driver health monitoring remains a mission-critical industry endeavour. Since the turn of the millennium, both Trucking Wellness and Engen have pioneered accessible, on-the-road healthcare for South Africa’s truck drivers with an annual Transport Month Trucker Health campaign providing essential driver health statistics. Engen’s 2025 findings based on voluntary driver screenings speak volumes: sustained wellness interventions remain essential for a sector that moves nearly 90% of the nation’s goods.
Impact beyond Transport Month
It’s an acknowledged fact within the South African road freight sector that the Engen Driver Wellness campaign has made a measurable impact on the trucking community, empowering drivers to take charge of their well-being on an on-going basis, despite the pressures of life on the road.
Run in partnership with Trucking Wellness, an initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry, this year’s Engen Driver Health campaign during Transport Month provided free voluntary screenings at 29 Engen Truck Stops and Engen 1-Stops across eight provinces between 20 October and 13 November.
A total of 1 503 screenings were conducted, covering blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, malaria, TB, STIs, HIV/AIDS and BMI tests. Every participating driver also received a complimentary Engen tog bag.
Health insights from 2025
The data illustrates the ongoing need for proactive health support:
- 53.6% presented with abnormal findings requiring follow-up.
- 9.9% tested positive for high or abnormal blood pressure.
- 28.9% had elevated cholesterol or blood sugar.
- High cholesterol: 18.1%
- High blood sugar: 10.8%
Beyond the stats, the screenings offer something most drivers seldom get: time with qualified healthcare professionals.
Partnerships that deliver
Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager, emphasises the company’s commitment to the sector’s frontline workers: “Truck drivers play an indispensable role in driving our economy forward. Through this campaign, Engen aims to make their health and safety a national priority because when drivers are healthy, our roads and supply chains are safer too.”
Engen and Trucking Wellness also support drivers year-round through six fixed Trucking Wellness clinics located at Engen Truck Stops in Beaufort West, Musina, Port Elizabeth, East London, Harrismith and Kokstad.
These facilities provide on-going access to treatment support and counselling long after the mobile teams have packed up.
Tertius Wessels, Project Manager of Trucking Wellness, highlights the longevity and impact of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Engen enables us to reach drivers where they live and work on the road. The on-going support provided through both the mobile and fixed clinics ensures continuity of care, early diagnosis and ultimately, safer roads for everyone.”
A Broader purpose for the sector
Engen’s Commercial Marketing and Business Development Manager, Adnaan Emeran, underscores the campaign’s wider significance: “Driver Wellness is more than just check-ups; it’s about caring for the people who keep our economy moving.
“Engen’s on-going partnership with Trucking Wellness reflects our belief that health and safety go hand in hand with productivity and sustainability in the transport industry.”
With forward-thinking vision, Emeran concludes: “As we look ahead, Engen remains committed to strengthening our partnerships, expanding access to healthcare for truckers and supporting the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s road freight sector.”
Editor’s comment: Driver health remains a vital pillar of South Africa’s road freight safety chain and Engen’s latest statistics show why long-term, consistent wellness programmes matter. The exemplary partnership between Engen and Trucking Wellness not only gives drivers the holistic health care and positive affirmation they deserve but also works tirelessly to help ensure safer roads, driver retention and a more resilient road freight industry. Respect!
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