By: Natasha Archary

DA Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng, Jack Bloom says patients from 26 of 34 Gauteng hospitals suffer from food shortages.
This was, according to Bloom revealed by Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko who responded to Bloom’s written question regarding food shortages.
The shortage of food in public hospitals were due to suppliers not being paid, contracts expiring, or companies not delivering.
Bloom says the situation has only worsened since the beginning of the year, with two hospitals in particular borrowing food from other hospitals.
“Two hospitals in Bronkhorspruit and Lenasia South borrowed food from other hospitals.
George Mukhari Academic Hospital lacked chicken, fish, and frozen vegetables for 4-months. Milk was unavailable from February to May, and bread was out of stock for a week in May.
Patients at the Kalafong Hospital didn’t get meals at all, which will lead to hospital-induced malnutrition in the long run.
They only have a daily petty cash amount of R2000 which is too little for 700 patients.”
Other hospitals with food shortages include the following:
Chris Hani Baragwanath
Edenvale
Sebokeng
Tambo Memorial
Thelle Mogoerane
Yusuf Dadoo
Bertha Gxowa
Pretoria West
Jubilee
Bheki Mlangeni
Tshwane District
Carletonville
Tembisa
Tshwane Rehab
Cullinan Care Rehab
Sizwe Tropical Disease
Tara H Moross
Hospitals lucky enough not to have food shortages include the Far East Rand, Mamelodi, Pholosong, South Rand, Heidelberg, Kopanong and Sterkfontein hospitals.
Although Weskoppies hospital said they did not have shortages, they have to do RFQs and alternative arrangements to ensure food for their patients.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Health Department claims their new multi-vendor approach will ensure reliable food supplies to all hospitals, but this will not help if they do not drastically improve payments within 30 days.
Their non-payment problem is deep-rooted and chronic, with only 41% paid within due time according to the latest quarterly report.
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