This July and August, Rio Tinto, PinkDrive and the Department of Health are bringing free cancer and health screenings to underserved communities in KZN, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, aiming to reach over 12,000 people with life-saving care.
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In a move to address late-stage cancer detection, Rio Tinto, PinkDrive and the National Department of Health are embarking on a drive to bring mobile cancer screenings and primary healthcare services to communities in need. Scheduled to start late July and throughout August 2025, this initiative will expand to KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and the Northern Cape following a successful outreach in 2024.
With 65% of all natural causes of death attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (according to the National Cancer Registry), this initiative aligns to South Africa’s national health goals to reduce the burden of NCDs through early detection, prevention, and improved access to care, while also addressing social factors that impact health.
RTIT Africa Operations & RBM Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said, “We are proud to once again collaborate with PinkDrive to bring these services closer to those who need them most. Through this collaboration we can extend our reach and make a meaningful impact even in areas where we are not physically present. It is an extension of our core values of CARE.
Last year, the outreach successfully reached 7,695 people over a two-week period and the goal for this year is to screen over 12,000 individuals and provide health education to many more. CEO and Founder of PinkDrive, Noelene Kotschan said, “Far too many South Africans are diagnosed late because they simply don’t have access to screening facilities. Our model of mobile healthcare has proven both innovative and effective in bridging this gap”.
The mobile clinics will provide essential services such as mammograms, pap smears, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests clinical breast examinations, skin and lung cancer screenings as well as general health screenings. Qualified doctors, nurses, radiographers, and health educators will provide these services will be provided free of charge with referrals to public health facilities arranged where necessary.
This important initiative is funded by the Rio Tinto Social Investment Fund, which invests in projects that create lasting socio-economic benefits within the group’s operational markets. It complements existing local social programmes and extends support to address key national socio-economic needs.
