Linen shortage at Baragwanath putting patients at risk

THE ongoing linen crisis at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBH) highlights a public healthcare system in distress, where patients endure discomfort, infection risks, and delayed treatment due to basic supply failures.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

The Department of Health previously cited outdated laundry machines, delays in finalising a bulk linen purchase, and a high patient load that accelerates linen wear and usage as reasons for the shortage.

Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom revealed that 860 beds at CHBH lack full linen sets, heightening infection risks, causing discomfort for patients, delaying bed turnover, and increasing the workload for nursing and cleaning staff.

Bloom added that, according to Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, every hospital bed should have at least five complete sets of each linen category to allow for rotation, on the bed, in laundry, in storage, in transit, and as contingency stock. The linen categories include flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, pillowcases, counterpanes or bedcovers, and patient gowns or pyjamas.

“Each bed should have 2 sheets (1 fitted, 1 flat), a blanket, pillowcase, a counterpane or bedcover, and one patient gown/pyjama per day.”

He revealed that although flat sheets and blankets are sufficient, there are zero fitted sheets, and significant shortages of pyjamas, counterpanes, and pillowcases.

“There should ideally be 14 440 stocks of each linen category for the 2888 beds at the hospital, but whereas there are 14 902 flat sheets and 17 524 blankets, there are zero (0) fitted sheets, and only 10 239 pyjamas, 4517 counterpanes, and 1272 pillowcases, Bloom said.