Engen’s annual Driver Wellness campaign has concluded with new data underscoring ongoing health challenges faced by truck drivers operating across South Africa’s long-haul and regional routes.
Run in partnership with Trucking Wellness, an initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI), the 2025 programme provided free voluntary medical screenings at 29 Engen Truck Stops and Engen 1-Stops between 20 October and 13 November. Mobile wellness teams were deployed across eight provinces, completing 1 503 screenings.
According to figures released following the campaign, more than half of the drivers screened recorded abnormal results requiring medical follow-up. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol and blood sugar readings were among the most frequently identified issues.
Key findings reported:
• 53.6% presented abnormal readings needing further care
• 9.9% tested positive for high or abnormal blood pressure
• 28.9% showed elevated cholesterol or blood sugar levels
• High cholesterol: 18.1%
• High blood sugar: 10.8%
These results highlight the toll that long working hours, sedentary driving, irregular sleep patterns, poor access to routine healthcare, and limited food options take on professional drivers who keep the country’s freight moving.
Industry stakeholders say the campaign remains a crucial intervention, particularly for drivers who rarely have time for scheduled medical check-ups between tight delivery schedules and border waits.
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Engen and Trucking Wellness also operate six fixed-site wellness clinics at Engen Truck Stops in Beaufort West, Musina, Port Elizabeth, East London, Harrismith and Kokstad, providing year-round access to assessment, treatment support and counselling.
Road freight remains the backbone of the national supply chain, responsible for approximately 90% of South Africa’s goods transport. With driver health directly linked to road safety, fleet performance and economic productivity, calls are growing for wider collaboration between industry players to strengthen preventative healthcare access.
As one driver commented at an assessment site, “The truck won’t move if the driver isn’t fit to drive.”
Campaign partners say the focus will now shift to follow-up support and long-term risk reduction.
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