Gauteng Health Denies Linen Shortage at Bheki Mlangeni, Calls Political Allegations ‘Misleading’

The Gauteng Department of Health has firmly dismissed claims that patients at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital have been forced to sleep on plastic mattress covers for two months due to a shortage of linen.

The allegations were made by Dr Jack Bloom, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, who released a media statement and images purportedly showing the hospital’s conditions. But the department says those photos don’t match the hospital’s layout and the claims amount to deliberate political misinformation.

Sourced: Twitter

Photos ‘Do Not Match Hospital Layout’

According to Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication for the Gauteng Health Department, the images shared by Bloom don’t reflect any ward at Bheki Mlangeni.

“The facility has no wards with similar paints or floors as depicted in the photos,” said Modiba. “The pictures are not a true depiction of the reality at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital.”

The department has accused Bloom of using his political office to spread falsehoods instead of helping build confidence in the public healthcare system.

Hospital Linen Stocks Are Sufficient

Modiba confirmed that Bheki Mlangeni Hospital currently has enough clean linen in its institutional linen bank to meet patient demand. The hospital also uses a dual-source laundry system to ensure consistent supply.

Previously, the hospital relied solely on Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital’s laundry services. However, due to capacity constraints, Dunswart Laundries was added as a second provider, now delivering clean linen three times a week.

Extra Blankets Due to Winter, Not Shortages

Addressing concerns about extra blankets seen in wards, the department clarified that it is common practice for patients to bring personal blankets during winter.

“This is not unusual during the colder months,” said Modiba.

Patients who feel they are not receiving adequate linen are encouraged to lodge complaints directly with hospital management or the quality assurance office, rather than relying on social media or political intermediaries.

Department Slams Political Grandstanding

The department expressed strong disapproval of how the allegations were raised, calling it a “shocking misuse” of political office.

“It is uncalled for that a public representative would distort facts to mislead the public in this manner,” Modiba said.

R50 Million Committed to Laundry Upgrades Province-Wide

While the department denies a crisis at Bheki Mlangeni, it acknowledged broader laundry infrastructure challenges across Gauteng’s healthcare network.

To address this, the department has allocated R50 million to upgrade and replace aging laundry equipment throughout the province.

“This investment is aimed at ensuring sustainable, high-quality linen services across all our health facilities,” Modiba said.

No Linen Crisis, Says Department

The Gauteng Health Department maintains there is no linen shortage at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital, and that the claims made by Dr Jack Bloom are factually incorrect and politically motivated.

With clean linen stocks, dual supply systems, and millions committed to infrastructure upgrades, the department is urging elected officials to be responsible in their oversight and not exploit public concerns for political gain.

{Source: The Citizen}

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