The Asbestos Relief Trust (ART) and Kgalagadi Relief Trust’s (KRT) heart and lung removal awareness campaign went live on air from 15-26 March 2010.
The primary objective was to create awareness around the importance and the right of former miners to a post mortem examination of their cardio-respiratory organs upon death. This right is provided for under the Occupational Diseases in Mines Act.
The campaign took the form of Public Service Announcements (PSA), which have been translated into different languages. The PSAs were broadcast on community radio stations which include: Unitra FM, Takalani FM, Alfred Nzo Radio (based in the Eastern Cape), Barberton Radio (based in Mpumalanga) and Greater Lebowakgomo (based in Limpopo).
Negotiations are currently underway to broadcast the PSAs in the Northern Cape.
Representatives from the ART, KRT as well as the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) (which performs the post mortems), are being interviewed on the message as part of the campaign. Interviewees include Ms Zodwa Ndlovu and Ms Julian Mthombeni from the NIOH and Sr Phemelo Magabanyane, the ART and KRT’s Palliative Care Nurse.
Podcasts of the campaign and interviews will be made available on the Asbestos Relief Trust website: www.asbestostrust.co.za
