​The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is making significant strides in strengthening operations at the Masakhane Laundry and Cook Freeze facility in Rosslyn, Tshwane,  a vital support hub for the province's public health system.
Recent upgrades include the replacement of 18 steam jacket pots, a new Ulma machine, and a food conveyor belt in the Cook Freeze section. In the laundry division, five (5) new 100kg washer extractors have been installed. These improvements are part of a broader recapitalisation programme aimed at increasing reliability, production capacity, and efficiency.
To further bolster operations, 10 new boiler operators will be appointed by year-end, addressing critical staffing shortages. The upgrades are funded by a R100 million grant from the National Department of Health, with R50 million allocated specifically to laundry machinery across provincial facilities. The remaining funds are being used to repair and upgrade boilers, chillers, heat pumps, and air-conditioning systems across health institutions.
During an oversight visit on Wednesday, 13 August, MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Health and Wellness assessed the progress at Masakhane. 
"These improvements are critical and will significantly increase production capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime. With more reliable equipment and stable staffing, patient care will be better supported through uninterrupted service delivery," said Nkomo-Ralehoko. 
Masakhane,  is the only public sector Cook Freeze facility in South Africa, underscoring its strategic importance. It plays a crucial role in Gauteng's healthcare system with the laundry services supporting 14 hospitals, 54 clinics, and 8 Gauteng Emergency Medical Services depots, ensuring clean linen and maintaining hygiene and dignity in patient care.
The Cook Freeze section on the other hands supplies nutritious meals to 6 hospitals and 17 Community Healthcare Centres, producing 8 000 plates daily. Meals are conventionally cooked, portioned, vacuum-sealed, quick-frozen at -72ºC, and delivered for reconstitution and immediate serving.
Despite budget constraints, the department is prioritising urgent vacancies and repairs at Masakhane to ensure improved and uninterrupted service delivery.
The ongoing work at Masakhane reflects the Gauteng Department of Health's commitment to strengthening essential support services, because behind every hospital bed and meal tray is a system working tirelessly to care for the people of Gauteng.