Plans in motion for in-house bakery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

The Gauteng Department of Health has announced that plans are in motion for Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to have an in-house bakery by the next financial year.

This is expected to meet the demands of the hospital which has a consumption of about 500 loaves of bread each day while lowering costs to the Department.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko made the announcement during the State of the Province Address debate at the Legislature on Tuesday.

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The MEC also said the establishment of an in-house bakery will not have any negative implications on local cooperatives and SMMEs who currently supply the hospital with bread.

“We will foster cooperative partnerships with local community bakeries or cooperatives to ensure a steady supply of quality ingredients,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

“This will also assist in tackling the unemployment problems we have in our Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH) communities.

“We aim to create sufficient employment opportunities for communities in Soweto, particularly the youth and local bakers.”

In addition, the MEC committed that several other infrastructure refurbishment and construction projects within the Health Department should soon be completed and operational.

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These facilities include Helen Joseph Hospital nurses’ accommodation, Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Service Lab, Randfontein Community Health Centre, Mandisa Shiceka Clinic, Boikhutsong Clinic, Mayibuye Clinic, Khutsong Clinic, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, as well as the Bara Neonatal Ward, nurses’ accommodation and the Burns Unit which is due for opening in the coming week.

“These projects are strategically located in TISH areas to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare, reinforcing our commitment to leaving no one behind as we implement National Health Insurance,” concluded the MEC.