Beyond Mandela & Women’s Month - Urology Hospital gives back to the community

Behind South Africa's growing surgical backlog are thousands of patients waiting longer for life saving specialist care. With approximately 10% of general practice consultations involving urological conditions and urology accounting for 25% of acute hospital surgical referrals, the demand for expert intervention continues to rise. Through ventures like the upcoming Women’s empowerment session and ASH Mandela Surgical Marathon, Urology Hospital (UH) continues demonstrating that meaningful impact comes from year-round commitment.

“Since the ASH surgical marathon's inception in 2023, UH has sponsored life-changing surgeries for patients on public hospital waiting lists, helping to restore dignity and improve access to essential urological care”, says André Meiring, Chief Executive Officer (UH). This year's initiative saw expert urologists Dr Ijane, Dr Coetzee, Dr Strydom, Dr Ligthelm, Dr van der Merwe, Dr Dos Santos, Dr Mamitele, Dr Morolo and Dr Blake volunteer their expertise, supported by anaesthetists, radiology, laboratory and UH Staff, proving what is possible when healthcare professionals work together.

Year-round screening and awareness

Meiring shares, “Our commitment extends well beyond Mandela Day. Every June (Men's Health Month), September (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month) and November (Movember), the Hospital partners with Laboratories and other healthcare partners to provide free Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings, promoting early detection of prostate cancer,”—the most common cancer affecting South African men, with a lifetime risk of approximately one-in-17, according to CANSA.

These free screenings are complemented by educational talks for local men and women. As part of this, Urology Hospital’s Women’s Wellness Day is putting women’s health firmly in the spotlight with candid, specialist led discussions on often-overlooked issues, from incontinence, UTIs, bladder cancer and kidney stones to pelvic health and ageing. Conversations will tackle trending health concerns, including GLP-1 weight-loss medications and their potential impact on diet and kidney health, as well as the growing debate around supplements and creatine.

It is a timely call to move beyond embarrassment, myths and misinformation—and to make women’s health a priority.

Community support through CSI

Raising awareness is only part of the solution. Access to life-changing healthcare remains out of reach for many South Africans, particularly those who cannot afford critical medical treatment. Through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, Urology Hospital works to help bridge this socioeconomic gap by supporting organisations serving vulnerable communities, children with disabilities and underprivileged patients in need of specialist care.

“We hope these initiatives reflect a broader commitment: not only to treating illness, but to improving access, encouraging early intervention and changing lives when it matters most,” says Meiring.

The hospital has partnered with Kungwini Welfare Organisation, Amadea Safe House and Operation Healing Hands through its CSI initiatives and remains committed to strengthening these relationships and supporting meaningful community programmes. More than collaborations, these partnerships reflect the hospital’s belief that healthcare is about people—their health, dignity and quality of life—and making a positive difference in the communities it serves.

For more information, contact Urology Hospital on 012 423 4000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..