Transaid has obtained grant funding for a significant project aimed at enhancing health and road safety for HGV drivers at Mombasa port in Kenya. The programme will address the barriers to accessing health services that heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers encounter due to their demanding schedules.
- The initiative targets HGV drivers who are often unable to access healthcare services because of their time on the road.
- In collaboration with North Star Alliance, Transaid will utilise the Jomvu Roadside Wellness Centre for outreach.
- Key messages on health and road safety will be disseminated in partnership with transport industry leaders.
- The effort seeks to reduce road traffic fatalities, which are a leading cause of death among young people in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Kenyan project led by Transaid aims to bolster health and road safety awareness among HGV drivers operating within the Mombasa port enclave. Focused on reducing barriers to healthcare access, the programme seeks to reach drivers where they congregate, without disrupting their regular routines. This approach ensures that drivers receive crucial health information and services, which are often inaccessible due to their intensive road schedules.
Collaborating with North Star Alliance, Transaid will deliver their project from the strategically located Jomvu Roadside Wellness Centre. This centre, positioned along the Northern Corridor, serves as an ideal spot to engage with long-distance drivers embarking on journeys. The partnership is pivotal in addressing the health risks and enhancing the safety of these drivers, who play a critical role in goods distribution.
Transaid’s initiative includes deploying strategically developed messages about better cargo and road safety in local clinics. These messages are crafted in association with transport industry leaders to ensure they are relevant and impactful. Sam Clark from Transaid emphasises that the project is about mitigating risks and enhancing safety for all road users, highlighting the crucial role that professional drivers play in maintaining the flow of goods efficiently and safely.
The project also aims to tackle the alarming statistics around road traffic fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa. With these incidents being the foremost cause of death for individuals aged 5-29 in the region, the programme underscores the importance of addressing such risks, which further deepen the socioeconomic challenges faced by households when economically active members are lost. By meeting the health and safety needs of drivers, the initiative aims to protect lives and livelihoods.
By improving access to health and safety resources, this project aims to significantly reduce road fatalities and support economic stability in Kenya.
