In a first of its own, Apollo Tyres, an Indian tyre manufacturer, has joined hands with Ashok Leyland to promote driver's health initiative in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu.
Ashok Leyland is the second largest vehicle manufacturer in the commercial segment which will provide healthcare facilities to the drivers. The healthcare centre at the Ashok Leyland's driver institute will be run by Apollo Tyres.
Sunam Sarkar, President and Chief Business Officer, Apollo Tyres, expressed his views on the partnership and said,
We are delighted to join hands with Ashok Leyland to extend this facility at Namakkal. Ashok Leyland is a fellow stakeholder in the trucking industry and working together allows both organisations to maximise reach and deployment of resources.
Serving truckers and the allied community will be the primary aim of this Healthcare Centre, along with awareness on generation of HIV-AIDS and prevention of STIs among truckers and the local community. We already have 31 similar health centres at multiple transhipment hubs across the country to serve the community.
via press release
The main aim of opening this healthcare facility is the awareness of HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among truck drivers and the local community present in Namakkal.
Balachandar NV, President, HR, Communication and CSR, Ashok Leyland also said,
Ashok Leyland has always been at the forefront to provide the best possible support to the driver community. As a profession, commercial vehicle driving is a demanding job, owing to long drives, month after month. The high level of concentration required for driving, mostly results in stress and strain on the driver. These working conditions, coupled with negligence towards regular care, often leads to various health problems.
To address this issue, we have collaborated with Apollo Tyres to offer the best medical support to an important stakeholder of ours. Through this collaboration, we will also educate the drivers on the importance of health for both personal as well as professional life. This will enable us to strengthen our relationship with the growing driver community
With this initiative, more than 12,500 drivers and local community people will be educated. Qualified Doctors, Paramedics and Counsellors will be presented to bring down Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Apart from the STIs, other healthcare facilities like diabetes, TB, Hypertension and Vision Care will be a part of it.
