To: Editors & Health Journalists
Issued by: National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) CEO, Prof Koleka Mlisana
Date: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
NHLS Laboratory Renovations at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Johannesburg: The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) Laboratory, as highlighted on SABC’s Cutting Edge programme aired on 8 October 2024.
As South Africa’s busiest laboratory, CHBAH is critical in supporting the Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital and 53 clinics across Soweto. This facility processes over 15,000 samples daily, totalling over 457 593 monthly and over 5.5 million annually. The NHLS has staffed the laboratory with a business manager, a team of pathologists from various disciplines of pathology, discipline-specific laboratory managers, pathology registrars, and medical technologists to maintain its efficiency.
The laboratory is undergoing extensive renovations as part of a strategic initiative to enhance capacity and improve workflow. These renovations, which began in March 2024 and are expected to conclude by early November 2024, are essential for modernising the facility to meet increasing demands better. Despite these significant changes, NHLS has worked hard to maintain uninterrupted service delivery, balancing patient care needs with the complexities of a renovation project. Samples had to be moved to constrained spaces to accommodate construction, which has added further operational challenges.
It is important to note that CHBAH NHLS Laboratory which comprises Chemical Pathology, Histopathology, Haematology, Microbiology and Virology, and NHLS’ Emergency Laboratory (STAT Lab) are all SANAS accredited except the Chemical Pathology Laboratory whose accreditation certificate has been voluntarily suspended due to the ongoing facility upgrades. The laboratory has already applied for SANAS to return for assessment.
The NHLS has undertaken several critical interventions to mitigate these issues and improve overall laboratory performance. In April 2024, the NHLS installed a state-of-the-art total automation analyser, which integrates pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes across multiple
disciplines, including chemical pathology, coagulation, haematology, and serology. Two of the system’s three modules are already operational, significantly enhancing testing capacity.
Recognising the importance of infrastructure, the NHLS has also installed an additional water tank dedicated to supplying the analyser with a continuous flow of water, ensuring it operates without disruption. A new rooftop water reservoir was purchased and installed to secure water storage and supply further.
The NHLS has also invested in comprehensive renovations, improving the physical infrastructure, and creating a better working environment for staff. The refurbished laboratory will streamline critical processes such as sample receiving, sorting, and capturing, ultimately enhancing efficiency in sample processing.
The NHLS understands that efficient logistics are crucial in maintaining the laboratory’s high service delivery standards. To this end, the NHLS has employed other mechanisms to expedite the collection of samples between wards and the laboratory.
In addition to these improvements, the NHLS installed a new chemical pathology analyser at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital, which became operational in July 2024. This strategic move helps alleviate the pressure on CHBAH by redistributing some of the workload, ensuring that service delivery remains uncompromised.
Furthermore, the STAT Laboratory’s capacity has been expanded, enabling it to perform more advanced tests such as endocrines and cardiac markers. This increase in capacity has further reduced the workload at CHBAH and improved turnaround times for urgent cases.
| The laboratory performance for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years is outlined below: YTD FY2324 | FY2425 MONTHLY | ||||||
| Area | Test Method | Targets | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | |
| MAIN LAB | CD4 | 95 | 99.0% | 99.5% | 99.6% | 99.4% | |
| MAIN LAB | HIV PCR | 92 | 93.0% | 98.2% | 97.2% | 97.5% | |
| MAIN LAB | FBC | 95 | 99.0% | 95.1% | 97.6% | 96.2% | |
| MAIN LAB | TBNAAT | 94 | 94.0% | 90.8% | 97.7% | 91.3% | |
| SATELLITE LAB | U+E | 95 | 98.5% | 97.7% | 93.6% | 95.2% | |
| SATELLITE LAB | FBC | 95 | 99.9% | 86.2% | 98.5% | 98.5% | |
The NHLS is committed to addressing these issues through continued investment in equipment upgrades leading to long-lasting solutions.
ENDS
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Mr Mzi Gcukumana
NHLS Head of Communication
066 376 3171
mzimasi.gcukumana@nhls.ac.za
