The fight against HIV and AIDS is expected to move into a new gear when health Minister launches the Trucking Wellness Centre in Epping, Cape Town this evening.
Based along the busy truck route in Epping the Centre will provide health and wellness programmes which include counselling, HIV testing and condom distribution of condoms to truck drivers using this route. The services will also be extended to woman and young girls who may be at risk of getting sexually transmitted infections. All services will be provided after hours in a confidential setting to secure the dignity of the user.
"We are fully aware of the dangers that long distance truck drivers are exposed to as a result of being away from their spouses for longer periods. It becomes important therefore that we provide them with primary healthcare services including counselling as part of minimising their risks of getting STIs (including HIV) and in turn put their spouses at risk.
This Centre puts us on a new course in the delivery of primary healthcare and prevention of HIV. I commend the South African Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS and Mercedes-Bens SA for working with us in this regard", said the health Minister.
Late last year the health Minister visited India to learn about integrating high-risk groups such as long distance truck drivers among others into HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. "What we saw in India forced us to think much morebroadly in our fight against HIV and AIDS and rolling out of primary healthcare services", continued Motsoaledi.
The Minister has since made it clear that he is going to launch such wellness centres in all major trucking routes throughout the country.
Members of the media are invited to join the Minister, MECs and representatives of business at the launch of the Centre.
Date: 11 May 2011Time: 18h00
Venue: Epping Truck Stop, 7 Bofors Circle, Epping, Cape Town
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 395 8493
Cell: 079 517 3333
