Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) and Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF) partner to address primary healthcare needs and promote responsible behaviour for road safety among truck drivers in Derabassi, Punjab.

Truck drivers have very challenging jobs and often put their own health at risk. They suffer from multiple health problems due to long hours of travelling and inadequate rest hours. The nature of their work, exposure to pollution and lack of nutritious food puts them at risk of contracting Non-Communicable Diseases.

To address this issue, ACF has come together with Pernod Ricard Foundation to inculcate responsible behaviour change on preventive healthcare and substance abuse and to generate awareness on road safety to reduce road accidents.

The project duration will be for three years and occur in three phases targeting about 3500 rural truckers and allied population in the Derabassi area. Structured intervention is expected to reduce the prevalence of STI, reduce cases of road accidents and change knowledge, attitudes and practices of the truckers in regard to health and responsible consumption. For impact sustenance, the program will also develop a truckers committee which would include members from the trucker’s union, local community-based organization and members from the local government department.

The engagement plan will involve setting up a vision care centre, counselling area for those struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, organizing road safety weeks along with sensitization by RTO department, creating peer- led support groups, capacity building of migrant groups to ensure ownership of the program amongst other initiatives.

“The project has been introduced to address primary healthcare and safety needs of the target population by starting a healthcare centre, creating awareness on road safety through effective IEC materials and ensuring Behavioural Change Communication to address HIV and STI. We are delighted to partner with Pernod Ricard Foundation who will be rendering their support over the next three years to ensure maximum awareness,” said the Director & CEO of Ambuja Cement Foundation, Pearl Tiwari while sharing the objectives of the project.   

VP – Corporate Affairs and Sustainability & Responsibility of PRIF, Sunil Duggal said, “We believe that our support to communities has the power to unleash the next wave of growth and development for the country. We are grateful to the truck drivers’ community, which has ensured that India’s supply chain and services remain robust through all challenging times, often at the cost of their own well-being. Through this program, we reaffirm our commitment to Leaving No Trucker behind by providing quality primary healthcare and promoting road safety with them.”