Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto has begun a major refurbishment of its laundry facilities as part of a broader initiative to modernise operations and improve patient care at Africa’s largest hospital.
Serving over 1.5 million people, the hospital is upgrading its infrastructure by installing five new 100-kilogram tunnel washers and dryers — a move expected to significantly boost its capacity to provide clean linen to all wards, surgical units, and beds.
According to hospital management, the modern equipment will support higher infection control standards and ensure a more hygienic environment for patients and staff.
“As part of our mission to put patients first, we are modernising our support systems to ensure Chris Hani Baragwanath remains a centre of excellence,” said Dr. Nthabiseng Makgana, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer. “These laundry upgrades will improve efficiency and strengthen infection control across the hospital.”
To minimise disruptions during the transition, the hospital has partnered with other facilities — including Dunswart, Masakhane, and Edenvale laundries — and enlisted the help of private service providers to handle linen cleaning.
All clinical services at the hospital continue to operate as normal, with strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in place.
The hospital’s management expressed gratitude to patients, staff, and families for their patience and understanding during the upgrade process.
“Our goal is simple,” added Dr. Makgana. “We want every patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath to receive care in a clean, safe, and dignified environment.”
However, the upgrades follow sustained criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition in Gauteng, which has repeatedly raised alarms over linen shortages at the hospital. Since late 2024, the party has flagged concerns that patients were being left without clean bedsheets and clothing — conditions that not only compromise dignity but also heighten the risk of infection.
Hospital officials did not directly respond to the DA’s claims in the latest announcement but indicated that the current refurbishment is part of a long-term plan to modernise operations and improve service delivery.
