The Chris Hani-Baragwanath hospital will run out of meat this week as a result of non-payment to their meat supplier, the Democratic Alliance Gauteng Health spokesman Jack Bloom said on Sunday.
Vereeniging Meat Packers was owed R750 000 since March and were now refusing to supply any meat until they had been paid, said Bloom.
”The problem lies with the Gauteng Shared Services Council that is taking over the payment of all services for the hospital.
”This is proving to be a disaster, with late payments leading to non-delivery of all sorts of necessary supplies to the hospital.
”Food supplies are a major problem, with emergency orders being made for basics such as rice and mealie meal as regular suppliers refuse to deliver without being paid,” he said.
”Another shortage is that of coal which is essential for heating and steaming up the food.
”Staff are at their wits end in trying to deal with this appalling situation that is affecting the needs of patients.
”Urgent action is needed to sort out the problems with the Shared Services Centre that is leading to extreme frustration and disruption at this hospital,” said Bloom. – Sapa