Mobile health screening initiative brings lifesaving services to Northern Cape communities

A collaborative effort between Rio Tinto, PinkDrive, and the National Department of Health is set to provide free mobile cancer screenings and primary healthcare services to communities in the Northern Cape.

The initiative, which aligns with South Africa's national health goals, aims to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases through early detection, prevention, and improved access to care.

Communities to benefit

From August 18 to 22, 2025, mobile clinics will visit the following locations:

Vioolsdrift Clinic: August 18, 2025

Springbok Clinic: August 19, 2025

Okiep Clinic: August 20, 2025

Pella Clinic: August 21, 2025

Pofadder Clinic: August 22, 2025

The mobile clinics will offer essential services, including

• Mammograms
• Pap smears
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests
• Clinical breast examinations
• Skin and lung cancer screenings
• General health screenings

Qualified doctors, nurses, radiographers, and health educators will provide these services free of charge, with referrals to public health facilities arranged where necessary.

A step towards addressing late-stage cancer detection

According to the National Cancer Registry, 65% of all natural causes of death are attributed to non-communicable diseases. This initiative seeks to address late-stage cancer detection by providing accessible screening facilities to communities in need.

"We are proud to once again collaborate with PinkDrive to bring these services closer to those who need them most," said Werner Duvenhage, RTIT Africa Operations & RBM Managing Director. "Through this collaboration, we can extend our reach and make a meaningful impact even in areas where we are not physically present."

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 initiative has already shown promising results, with 7,695 people reached over two weeks in 2024. The goal for this year is to screen over 12,000 individuals and provide health education to many more.