Patients suffer as laundry shortage hits Bara Hospital. Image : Democratic Alliance
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the world’s third largest, covering around 173 acres (0.70 km2) and containing approximately 3,200 beds and 6,760 personnel. The facilities are contained in 429 buildings and have a total surface area of 233’795 m2 and are located in Soweto, Johannesburg, in Gauteng province. The Gauteng health department has engaged a group of infrastructure specialists to collaborate with a contractor to bring laundry services back to full operation. Spokesperson Motaletale Modiba stated, “Even after numerous repairs, the old machines keep breaking down, requiring a full replacement.”
To guarantee a steady supply of clean linen for patients, the hospital’s linens are being laundered at Dunswart Laundries in the interim, working both day and night shifts. “The provision of clean linen remains a key,” Modiba stressed. Democratic Alliance (DA) health spokesperson Jack Bloom, however, bemoaned the hospital’s condition, stating, “Due to a malfunctioning machine, patients are suffering from a shortage of linens.” There is a backlog of unwashed laundry, and some operations have been suspended.
Bloom drew attention to the worsening ward conditions, including dirty linen beds that raise the risk of infection. He asked the department to deal with the problem as soon as possible. Modiba responded by saying that the department has applied for funds for new washing equipment from the National Department of Health and the Gauteng Provincial Treasury. He stated that the NDoH approved their request and that installation will begin when funds are available.
While waiting for funds, required repairs will be undertaken to current machinery in order to keep them operational and minimize the impact on service delivery. The problem remains a key concern for the Gauteng health department, which is committed to providing quality care to patients despite the challenges.
About the Author
