FUSO brings advanced radiology services to underserved communities

March 20, 2025

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Radhiant Diagnostic Imaging provides world-class radiology services across South Africa, offering mobile mammography, ultrasound, and diagnostic reporting. Operating in over 250 locations, the company relies on FUSO trucks to deliver essential healthcare to all communities.

Radhiant Diagnostic Imaging is a professional radiology and diagnostic imaging service on the move. The company deploys its FUSO FE6-109 mobile clinics to bring state-of-the-art equipment and a highly qualified team to underprivileged communities across South Africa, offering its services to individuals at central locations or through corporate events.

Visionary healthcare

Founder of the company Dr Anith Chacko is a visionary healthcare professional who completed his PhD in radiology at the University of Bristol in the UK in December 2024. However, his journey to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate started much earlier. Chacko grew up in King William’s Town and matriculated from Dale College Boys High School in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2004, followed by an internship and community service at Frere Provincial Hospital and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London.

Between 2010 and 2014, Chacko specialised in radiology at the University of Pretoria. He returned to East London, where he practised at East Coast Radiology. It was here that his dream to make a difference was born.

“South Africa has approximately 40 radiology practices; however, all are centred in the bigger urban areas, with the majority of our population not having convenient access to radiology services. I used to get many patients from the surrounding towns of East London for mammograms and ultrasounds, often presenting with cancer that was already far too advanced.

“I knew in the back of my mind that we needed to do something to improve awareness or try to catch cancer earlier, because early detection is key to improving outcomes. In 2022, I got the idea to create a mobile mammography service to reach the surrounding towns. The idea came to life in 2023,” he explains.

What started with a single mobile unit in 2023, catering primarily to the Border Kei region, has now grown into a fleet of seven mobile units built on FUSO FE6-109 trucks, travelling across the country to over 250 locations across all nine provinces. In the first year of operations, the single mobile unit was able to screen 1,250 patients, but this number grew to more than 8,000 by the end of 2024 and the dream is to reach even more people in 2025.

Each unit has a Code 10 driver and a qualified and certified mammographer. Today, the company offers employment to 17 permanent staff and over 50 mammographers on a rotational locum tenens (temporary duty) basis. While the screening procedure itself takes place in the mobile unit, all images are transferred to the head office for processing, diagnosis, and reporting. Chacko then shares the results with the patients and their doctors.

Why FUSO?

“Our main considerations included reliable, durable, hardy, and robust trucks that would be able to travel to rural areas, often using gravel roads. The medical equipment is big and heavy, so we needed a truck that could carry the load, offer enough space for the equipment, and provide comfortable room for patients,” reveals Chacko. “At the same time, the trucks needed to be manoeuvrable and small enough for smaller parking areas. The FUSO FE6-109 ticked all the boxes. It has a reputation for being sturdy and high-quality, and its reliability and durability are unquestionable. The final factor was the price, which was unbeatable for the value provided. It was an obvious choice for us.”

He says that FUSO offered competitive pricing along with strong service and maintenance options, adding: “Because I am from East London, I wanted to support local: Ronnies Commercial Vehicles East London. Ronnies also recommended a bodybuilder that was top-notch and able to customise the internal build of our mobile clinics with exact precision and the highest quality.”

After running the FUSO fleet for more than two years, the trucks are living up to expectations. “We have had no major issues, no downtime; the trucks are fantastic. What I also like about FUSO is that getting the trucks serviced is not an issue. Thanks to FUSO’s extensive dealer footprint, the fleet can be serviced anywhere in South Africa, without having to travel far – or even back to East London,” Chacko elaborates.

“I give the FUSO brand a 10/10 rating and would highly recommend it to others. I have received excellent service from Ronnies Commercial Vehicles East London, and having Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) visit me and learn more about our operations was a genuinely nice touch,” he enthuses.

What next for Radhiant?

Currently, mammograms in the mobile units are covered by medical aids and charged at R1,200 per scan for cash patients, which is the lowest price nationally. However, this reduced price is still not attainable for many South Africans. Radhiant is in the final stages of registering its Non-Profit Organisation: Radhiant Foundation, with the dream of offering mammograms at no cost to underprivileged communities.

Olaf Petersen, vice president for sales and marketing at DTSA, has paid tribute to the company. “Together with our dealer partner, Ronnies Commercial Vehicles East London, we thank Dr Chacko and Radhiant Diagnostic Imaging for their support, and for allowing us to be part of this amazing initiative and their journey. We are excited about the future and wish you continued success in your work and service to the community,” he says.

Interested parties can easily make a booking by visiting the Radhiant Diagnostic Imaging website, calling the company on 087 077 0000, or via WhatsApp on 067 403 6564.