Truckers spend most of their lives on the road, but when it comes to healthcare, they’ve long been left at the margins. Today, they find themselves on a ‘highway to health’ thanks to an initiative by Ambuja Foundation in partnership with Pernod Ricard India Foundation.
What began as a single primary health clinic located at the truck union centre in Derabassi and Ambala, Punjab, has evolved into a comprehensive programme across 11 truck unions and nine villages, extending into Chandigarh. Today, it reaches out to over 3200 truckers and 1600 family members and support staff, delivering essential healthcare where it is needed most. This initiative is paving the way for a healthier, safer, and more empowered trucking community— one stop at a time.
1. Primary Healthcare Centre – Clinics were set up at truck union centres so truckers could access screenings and consultations without missing work. Starting with basic HIV/AIDS and general health screenings, these centres expanded step-by-step to include services like COPD, vision care, ECG, mental health, and cancer screenings—reaching more union centres as the model proved effective. Referrals are also provided for further treatment to government facilities ensuring continuum of care.
2. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) – A robust awareness strategy included one-on-one counselling, information, education and communication (IEC) materials, wall art, videos, street plays, puppet and magic shows—all in local languages, integrating road safety messages for truckers.
3. Satellite Health Camps - To reach trucker families in remote areas, two to three satellite health camps were held every month to ensure regular access to healthcare in underserved locations.
4. Network of Peer Educators - A network of trusted influencers— dhabawallas, mechanics, and other service providers—was built to promote healthy practices and drive clinic footfall. These peer educators played a vital role in connecting truckers to services.
5. Lifestyle and Prevention Counselling - Alongside screenings, truckers received counselling on nutrition, physical activity, and reducing tobacco and alcohol use. Many now walk regularly, eat more mindfully, and report visible improvements in their health and energy.
Building on this success, the partnership has extended healthcare services to 20 additional villages, with plans to reach 20 more. The expanded model includes a stronger focus on mental health and cancer care—pressing needs identified by the community to safeguard not just truckers, but their families too.
Truckers remain a marginalised group, often overlooked due to the transient and demanding nature of their work. But the impact is visible: reduced substance use, better awareness, and improved well-being.
Most importantly, this initiative is putting healthy truckers—and their trucks—back on the highway, earning with confidence and caring for their families every mile of the way.
