Poor contract management and not enough cold storage capacity to order supplies in large quantities are some of the issues that have been blamed for food shortages plaguing Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko conducted a site visit at the Soweto hospital on Tuesday, following a Daily Maverick report on Monday about the hospital's severe food shortages.

The publication reported that Gauteng's biggest hospital faced a severe food shortage that impacted patients' health and well-being.

The publication also said a breakdown in certain food supplies had forced doctors and nurses to scramble to make a plan to feed patients.

"I was made aware over the weekend by the hospital management of the challenges and inconsistency when it comes to supply of groceries at CHBAH and the contingencies that they had put in place to ensure that patients’ meals continue to be provided," Nkomo-Ralehoko said.

"I am well aware that more or less around this time last year, towards the end of the financial year, the department faced similar challenges."

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department had been able to identify the systemic issues that had contributed to the problem.

These include: 

• Contract management: Poor contract management and timely escalation where there are challenges.
• Cold storage: CHBAH does not have enough cold storage capacity to order food supplies in large quantities.
• Capacity of suppliers: Some of the suppliers are over-contracted and cannot keep up with the facility’s demands regarding the orders being made. This relates to the appointment of multiple suppliers, instead of contracting one supplier for multiple items, which they cannot deliver on.

"The department will have to review this matter so that our services are not compromised by the appointment of service providers who do not have the required capacity," the MEC said.