New healthcare service launched for taxi drivers in Orange Farm

This Men’s Health Month, the question of who looks after those who drive the heart of South Africa’s transport system has been strikingly addressed.

In a collaborative effort, Rhiza Babuyile, a prominent non-profit organisation, has teamed up with the Department of Health, Johannesburg Health District Services, and the Orange Farm United Taxi Association (OFUTA) to launch a much-needed healthcare initiative specifically for taxi drivers.

The Mpathy Clinic officially opened its doors at one of Orange Farm’s busiest taxi ranks, signalling a valuable addition to the community that prioritises the health needs of one of the most hardworking groups in South Africa.

“Taxi drivers avoid going to a clinic because their working conditions simply don’t allow them the time to wait in long queues. With this new service, they’ll get treatment fast. Quick in and out, no long lines. It’s a quality service, built around their reality,” stated Lerato Seheri, Healthcare Manager at Rhiza Holdings.

The convenience of the newly launched clinic is a game changer for taxi drivers, who often work long hours under pressure.

According to Seheri, the clinic is tailored specifically to accommodate their busy schedules, with consultation fees ranging between R100 and R300, a substantial saving compared to private healthcare costs.

“This clinic meets them where they are and provides them with care without disrupting their day,” she added.

The initiative aligns with South Africa’s national ‘Closing the Gap’ ART Campaign, which aims to identify and support the 1.1 million individuals living with HIV who know their status but have not yet accessed treatment.

Seheri highlighted this as critical, remarking, “Men are significantly less likely than women to engage with routine health services, often leading to late diagnoses of health conditions that could have been manageable or preventable.”

Mmakobo Gaegake, Programme Manager for HIV, AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Tuberculosis (HAST), echoed these sentiments, underscoring the significance of providing health services at the taxi rank.

“The launch of the clinic will assist in bringing health services to one of the busiest points in Orange Farm. Taxi drivers will be able to work, access health services, and continue with their daily lives, promoting healthy living in disadvantaged communities,” she noted.

The Orange Farm United Taxi Association expressed their enthusiasm about the clinic’s arrival.

Monty Motsopa, the association’s PRO, shared, “We’re so happy to see this clinic finally open. It’s something our drivers have needed for a long time. They work long hours, always on the move, and often don’t get the chance to look after their health. Rhiza Babuyile and the Department of Health heard and saw us and they delivered. This helps not just taxi drivers, but everyone who counts on us to keep moving.”

Rhiza Babuyile’s network extends across Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State.

The organisation is committed to building public-private partnerships that enhance community development and ensure that healthcare experiences are effective, high-quality, and responsive to local needs.

Seheri confirmed that further Mpathy Clinics will be opened soon in Zithobeni in Bronkhorstspruit, Sky City in Ekurhuleni, and Dunoon in the Western Cape, promising a continued effort to bridge the healthcare gap in South Africa.

IOL