KARIEGA – The community-led initiatives at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital (UPH) continue without hiccups.
According to the UPH CEO, Khaya Mbewu, “It all began with a cleaning campaign, spearheaded by the Hospital Board, where community members joined forces to clean the hospital’s interior. The event was a huge success, and we are pleased to announce that the next cleaning campaign is scheduled for 5 December 2025.”
Tim Macquire, who chairs the UPH Board’s Infrastructure, Safety and Security sub-committee, noted that “The community and staff have responded positively to the cleaning initiatives as it is an attempt to ensure there is stability at the hospital.”
Mbewu added that during their efforts to maintain cleanliness in the wards, a community member’s feedback on Facebook highlighted the need for beautification of the hospital grounds. In response, the Hospital Board identified trees that required pruning for both aesthetic and security reasons. “This initiative has not only improved the appearance of the hospital but also enhanced safety.
“Building on this momentum, we launched the ‘Tidy UPH’ project, a collaborative effort between the hospital and the community to maintain a clean and beautiful environment,” he said.
Inspired by the “Tidy NMB” project, led by Dr Johann Malherbe, Mbewu said the UPH initiative aims to partner with local businesses, non-profit organisations, community members, and like-minded individuals to plant trees, prune branches, and nurture flowers.
“The Board has faced challenges with the cleaning campaign as some have felt that the volunteers are being exploited. Yet, the Board resolved to onboard volunteerism and we are grateful to them for giving of their precious time and working well under the leadership of the Infection Prevention and Control department of the hospital,” Macquire said.
Mbewu added that these community-driven projects have yielded numerous benefits, including “cost savings for the hospital and, more importantly, fostering a sense of ownership and unity within the community. By working together, we are reminded that the hospital belongs to the people, and it is our collective responsibility to keep it functional and thriving.”
He said the ultimate goal of UPH is to become a top-performing hospital, accredited by the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) to provide quality healthcare services under the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. “We believe that a clean and well-maintained environment will boost staff morale, leading to improved quality of care for our patients,” Mbewu added.
Macquire said the hospital is the pride of the Kariega community and the objectives of the NHI will be realised through strategic partnerships and initiatives at better maintaining its infrastructure and ensuring safety.
“The staff and patients are at risk if such initiatives aimed at ensuring a healthy and safe environment are not implemented. This aligns well with ensuring that as a Board we assist the Hospital in building its capacity through means that are not restricted by government’s limited budget. At the end of the day the hospital is a community hospital. The Tidy UPH initiative is a welcome initiative,” he said.
To ensure the long-term success of their initiatives, they plan to:
- Train staff on maintenance and upkeep procedures
- Develop and document standard operating procedures
- Share lessons learnt with other hospitals, promoting a culture of collaboration and excellence
“By working together with the community, we are confident that we will achieve great things and become a model for community-driven healthcare,” Mbewu concluded.
