Staff Writer
New Delhi: Apollo Tyres proudly celebrated 25 years of its landmark Healthcare Programme, launched in 2000 to improve the health and well-being of the trucking community. The event was graced by Rajeev Kumar Sinha, Chief Manufacturing Officer and Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Commercial (India, SAARC, Southeast Asia) of Apollo Tyres Ltd, and Kultaran Singh Atwal, Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress.
The event marked the release of the white paper “Truckers – the Backbone of Our Supply Chain,” which highlights key aspects of truckers’ lives — their challenges, risks and overall quality of life. More than just statistics, the study reveals that 74% of truck drivers expect access to medical assistance while on the road, enabled by technology. With 74% of drivers using smartphones, there’s a clear opportunity to leverage digital tools to improve their well-being and operational efficiency.
Apollo Tyres’ Swasth Saarthi app, which was launched today, is designed to provide truck drivers with medical support on the move. Key features include video consultations with doctors and locating the nearest Apollo Tyres Healthcare Centre. The company expects the app to serve around 10,000 truck drivers in its initial phase.
In his address, Rajeev Kumar Sinha emphasised Apollo Tyres’ ‘One Family’ values, reflecting its strong commitment to tailored healthcare for the trucking community. He highlighted the company’s efforts to extend care beyond physical centres, to Mobile Medical Units and now, the Swasth Saarthi app.
For over 25 years, Apollo Tyres has supported the trucking community through its dedicated Healthcare Programme, addressing the unique health challenges faced by drivers with mobile lifestyles and limited medical access. It began with the pioneering Healthy Highway Project, launched with DFID, setting a benchmark in HIV Awareness and Prevention. The programme grew over the years to offer services such as vision care, tuberculosis management, and treatment for other non-communicable diseases.
Since the inception of the healthcare programme in 2000, Apollo Tyres Foundation has reached over 11 million beneficiaries in the trucking community, organised more than 1,000 health checkup camps, and established 34 healthcare centres across 21 states, thereby ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for this vital sector of the economy.
