Healthcare-related challenges of the taxi industry stakeholders in the city of Tshwane, South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64074/zvmpa719Abstract
Introduction: The minibus taxi industry underpins South Africa's public transport system, serving approximately 80.2% of daily commuters. Despite its economic importance, the sector operates in a high-stress, informal environment, exposing drivers to occupational health risks compounded by limited medical surveillance. This study explored healthcare-related challenges and barriers to healthcare access among taxi drivers, owners, and association representatives in the CoT.
Methods: A participatory research design was used. Ninety-two participants (83 males, 9 females) were purposively sampled from taxi drivers, owners, and association representatives across CoT taxi ranks. Data were collected using eight focus group discussions, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using framework-informed, deductive thematic analysis.
Results: Findings revealed layered systemic barriers: regulatory gaps, institutional distrust, and gendered stigma; geographic and infrastructural constraints, absent mental health services, and power imbalances between owners and drivers; conflicts between clinic hours and work schedules, rejection of medical certificates, and broken referral pathways; and deferred care, self-medication, and accumulated psychological strain.
Conclusion: Taxi rank environments and rigid industry structures directly threaten drivers' physical and psychological well-being, fostering fatigue, substance use, and unresolved trauma. Interventions should prioritise decentralised, mobile healthcare aligned with operational hours and improved rank infrastructure to promote safer, dignified working conditions.
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