Theme: Innovations and Partnerships for Healthy and Prosperous Transport Corridors
As global mobility increases, the urgent need to address the risk of diseases spreading across borders and within countries becomes more pronounced, adversely affecting transport logistics, supply chains, and trade. In response, North Star Alliance and the Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) are organizing a pivotal conference to unite industry leaders, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community advocates to tackle the unique and pressing challenges facing Africa’s transport supply chain.
These challenges include trade barriers like the vulnerability of mobile populations, such as truck drivers, who are at high risk of contracting and transmitting diseases but often lack access to adequate healthcare.
8th to 10th December 2025
Nairobi, Kenya
ABOUT US
In practice, we convert shipping containers into Blue Box clinics, also known as Roadside Wellness Centres (RWCs), to provide health services to our target groups. Our Blue Boxes are strategically placed at border crossings, transit towns, and ports where sex work and informal trade thrive. Blue Boxes provide a package of health services, that focuses on HIV prevention and treatment, diagnosis and treatment for common ailments, TB screening and treatment, and screening of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), among others.
THE NEED
As more and more people cross borders for work, recreation, and safety, the risk of disease spreading from country to country and within countries grows. Through a network of Blue Box clinics (from converted shipping containers) spread across East and Southern Africa, North Star is on a mission to guarantee that every truck driver and the communities they interact with have access to quality and reliable healthcare.
OUR FOCUS
Since our inception, we have worked closely with the truck driver community and developed an in-depth understanding of their lifestyle and needs.
North Star has continued to reach and provide truck drivers and other vulnerable populations with a comprehensive package of HIV services.
North Star identifies, screens, and treats Tuberculosis cases; refers patients for laboratory tests; monitors treatment adherence; high-quality medication and support.
North Star uses the Crisis Response Teams (CRT) model, a multi-sectoral approach; bringing stakeholders at the local level to respond to SGBV against Female Sex Workers.
North Star Blue Box clinics also provide medical checkups outside the Blue Boxes to examine medical conditions that could be detrimental to truck drivers.
North Star identifies, screens, and treats Tuberculosis cases; refers patients for laboratory tests; monitors treatment adherence; high-quality medication and support.
CLINICAL REPORTS
A total of 187,633 clients accessed health services at our Blue Box clinics and 254,919 clinical sessions were registered at our Blue Box clinics in 2022.
Blue Box clinics in 10 countries
clients reached since 2006
Truck drivers reached in 2022
years of service
WHERE WE WORK
Our network of Blue Box Clinics
Our clinics are located at ‘hotspots’ such as border posts, transit towns or ports where large numbers of trucks stop, load and offload, and where sex work and informal trades flourish. Most are open late, tailored to the hours of our core target populations.
we are always on the lookout for individuals, groups and organisations to join our Alliance. Participate in an event, volunteer, become an advocate, or donate. Make a difference today.
The Regional Conference on Transport Corridors and Health 2025 will take place 8th-10th December at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, LRC Auditorium. Nairobi, Kenya.
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