Bara's Dirty Laundry: Patients Face Unclean Linens as Visitors Criticize Nurses, DENOSA Voices Discontent -

Johannesburg – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has voiced its “deep concern” over the unsatisfactory cleanliness standards and inadequate patient care at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

DENOSA indicates that the ongoing shortage of clean linen stems from the breakdown of washing machines in the laundry department.

The build-up of unprocessed laundry has also raised significant alarms within the union.

This matter was first brought to light last month, on 13 November, by MPL Jack Bloom, the Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health.

“Observing uncollected and dirty linen piling up in various units and corridors of the hospital has become a regular sight, raising concerns among nurses regarding the compromised hygiene standards within the facility,” DENOSA stated in a press release on Sunday, 8 December 2024.

“Given how the linen is stored, it is highly likely that much of it may not be reusable as it could have sustained permanent damage.”

“The facility now relies on external service providers and good Samaritans for linen cleaning, which often leads to delays due to the hospital’s size.”

The laundry area is so congested that some bundles of dirty linen have been left outside.

DENOSA reported that the hospital has been functioning with just two washing machines, as one machine broke down and was never repaired.

“As of November, the two remaining machines have also ceased functioning, leaving the hospital with no means to wash its linen,” DENOSA declared.

“For nursing and other healthcare professionals, cleanliness within a facility is vital for effective infection control measures.”

DENOSA emphasized that the lack of clean linen is negatively affecting patient care.

“Nurses are experiencing frustration and aggression from patients’ relatives when faced with the unclean conditions… an issue that lies beyond the control of the nursing staff,” lamented the nurses union.

DENOSA has raised this issue with the management of the facility, which is also hindering nurses’ ability to fulfill their responsibilities.

The organization has called upon the MEC of Health in the province to take swift action to resolve the problem.

DENOSA stressed that Africa’s largest hospital cannot be allowed to operate without a functioning laundry.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (commonly known as Bara) is the largest hospital in Africa and ranks as the seventh largest hospital globally.

The hospital employs a workforce of 6,760 staff members and has 3,400 beds.