ManuelSamodien

Commemorating Mandela Day 2025, Urology Hospital doctors and staff are honouring Madiba’s legacy by giving back to the community in a meaningful way.

This Men’s Health Month, Urology Hospital marks its historic 5,000th robotic surgery——with a free workshop and PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) screenings to promote early detection and awareness. Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed in South African (SA) men, with Black men facing a 1 in 4 lifetime risk and a regional mortality rate 2.7 times the global average. This initiative urges men to take charge of their health, because early detection saves lives.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a global crisis, affects over 850 million people, an estimated 1 in 10 adults, and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of years of life lost. In South Africa up to 17% may be living with CKD. From 1999 to 2006 South Africa saw a 67% rise in deaths owing to CKD. If undetected and untreated, CKD can progress to kidney failure, putting lives at risk.

South Africa is in the grip of a youth unemployment crisis, with 59,6%% of those aged 15–24 and 39,4% of those aged 25–34 unemployed, according to Stats SA’s QLFS Survey. While the 2024 matric class achieved a high pass rate, over 600,000 of 800,000 matriculants face limited education options as just 200,000 tertiary spaces are available—forcing many into a job market burdened with one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates.

South Africa’s older generation face a retirement crisis, with a paltry 7% of retirees feeling “well-prepared” and less than half of over-65’s having a retirement plan. With longer life expectancies, rising healthcare costs, inflation and a tough economy many retirement savings fall short. As a result a staggering 45% of over-60’s continue working, and 30% rely on secondary income streams to cover financial gaps.

Honouring International Men’s Day, Urology Hospital, South Africa’s top specialised urology centre and leader in cutting-edge medical technology, is offering free prostate screenings in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Prostate cancer affects 1.5 Million men globally each year, according to the WHO, this life-saving initiative comes at a crucial time.

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among South African men, with a significant increase in death rates from 2008 to 2018. Disparities in detection exist, particularly for black men. The Urology Hospital is offering free PSA tests for men at risk on September 27-28, emphasizing the importance of early detection and routine checkups.