Gauteng disputes claims that health facilities have run out of food

Erratic food supplies and the problem of shortages at Gauteng hospitals have been addressed and normal service has resumed, the department of health has said.

This was after the DA had pointed out that facilities under the Gauteng Department of Health have run out of food.

DA health spokesperson Jack Bloom earlier alleged that Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and other Gauteng state hospitals had suffered from inadequate food arrangements, due to expired contracts and poor financial management.

Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara Kekana confirmed that the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, Pretoria West hospital and other facilities did experience a shortage of bread supply for a short period due to delays in payments.

“This has since been resolved and services have resumed.”

Kekana said where there was a shortage of bread, alternatives were provided in consultation with specialists such as dieticians, “where necessary”.

“Some facilities also have kitchens that are used to bake,” she said.

Outlining the problems faced by some hospitals, Bloom said that Far East Rand, Bertha Gxowa, Odi, Pretoria West, Helen Joseph, Kopanong, hospitals had also suffered bread supply problems or could not get fresh milk and were instead using powder milk.

“The situation at Heidelberg hospital is so bad that they have taken food from other hospitals. They have not been able to get dairy products, meat, fruits and vegetables, but can get bread.”

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He alleged that meals for patients at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg hospital had also deteriorated.

He said this was what patients had to eat this weekend:

– Saturday lunch – a roll with a margarine tub but no plastic knife to apply it, and a packet of soup with no hot water.

– Saturday supper – a roll with a hard-boiled egg.

– Sunday breakfast – porridge with a roll, but no water.

– Sunday lunch – a tub with dry mixed vegetables, cauliflower and dry cooked mielies.

– Sunday supper – an apple and a roll with a margarine tub.

“It is not clear why the meals are so poor, without any meat, chicken or fish.

“Patients need nutritionally balanced meals, instead of random food scrounged together by an uncaring and incompetent management.

“It’s a terrible way to mistreat sick people.”

Bloom said the DA would probe questions on why food was a disaster at hospitals.

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