By Levy Masiteng
Gauteng’s MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has denied claims of food shortages at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The allegations were made by the DA’s health spokesperson in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, after photographs surfaced showing patients receiving only a slice of bread with margarine and cheese for lunch.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said at a media briefing that the image was taken out of context, and that it showed a scheduled 4 pm snack, not a main meal.
“It was two slices of bread, margarine, and an apple. Lunch and dinner were proper meals prepared in the hospital kitchen. I was in the kitchen myself when lunch was cooked,” she said.
She said that patients are receiving three meals daily and the temporary closure of the Masakane Cook Freeze factory – which had led to speculation that this was the reason for the alleged food shortage – was due to E.coli contamination.
“The hospital has activated contingency plans,” she said.
But Bloom said that his oversight visit to the hospital during the week revealed a different story.
“Patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital are going hungry as the provincial-run cook freeze factory has been closed for failing food safety standards,” he said.
“A nurse told me the lunch problem started last week, and relatives are bringing in food for patients.”
The Masakhane Cook Freeze Factory in Tshwane used to serve 8000 plates a day to six hospitals and 17 Community Health Centres in Gauteng.
This included the Jubilee, Odi, Tshwane, Bronkhorstspruit, and Lenasia District hospitals.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said the factory is undergoing deep cleaning, installing a water purification system, and staff training to strengthen food safety protocols.
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