An inferno has gutted the Gombe Central Medical Store, housing over 2 million doses of polio vaccine and other essential medical consumables and equipment in the state.
The destruction, valued at over N5 billion according to State’s Commissioner for Health Dr. Habu Dahiru, poses a significant setback for the 2024 Gombe state’s polio campaign, scheduled for March and April.
Dahiru disclosed that the 2 million doses were recently received from UNICEF and Rotary International to be distributed across the state’s local government areas.
Reacting, the governor of the state, Muhammadu Yahaya appealed to donor agencies and stakeholders in the health sector to come to the aid of the state.
He made the call while inspecting the charred remains of the facility in a swift response to the fire outbreak.
The Governor said; “this facility was at some point the centre for drugs distribution to the entire north-east region, not only Gombe state.
“Prompt intervention by the Federal government, development partners such as WHO, UNICEF and other critical stakeholders will make a significant impact in strengthening our healthcare system.”
Apart from polio vaccines, other items destroyed were; routine immunisation supplies, cold rooms, ultra-cold chain equipment for Pfizer Covid vaccine, maternal and child health equipment, nutritional items, family planning commodities, and special equipment for primary healthcare centres and maternity. Â
Refrigerators, cylinders, air conditioners, and motorcycles also were among the numerous items consumed by the fire.
The over 60-year-old cold store, previously used to house COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, played a significant role as a holding place for vaccines destined for onward distribution to other North-eastern states.
At the time of filing this report, the Director-General, Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli confirmed to the Explainer on the phone that a committee has been set-up to make findings to the cause of the fire outbreak.
