Gauteng’s Health Department has had to step in after linen supplies at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital ground to a halt when the washing machines broke down.
A spokesperson said that “a team of infrastructure technicians is working with the appointed contractor to restore laundry services to full capacity as speedily as possible”, reports The Citizen.
“The laundry machines …are ageing and have reached the end of their operational lifespan… necessitating their complete replacement.”
The National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Gauteng provincial Treasury (GPT) have approved a request for new equipment, and the machines will be installed “when finance is provided”, added the Department.
“The technicians will keep performing essential repairs to maintain operations … while the funding issue is being finalised.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Hundreds of cancelled Gauteng surgeries because of laundry shortages
Unsafe, ageing Limpopo hospital sends laundry 30km away for washing
Spotlight investigation: Gqeberha patients must endure soiled linen
A 6-hour, 500km, daily trip to wash Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital’s linen