A devastating fire has engulfed the Gombe Central Medical Store, a vital healthcare facility housing more than 2 million doses of polio vaccine and essential medical supplies.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya promptly visited the site to assess the damage, highlighting the urgent need for intervention to address the catastrophic situation.
Appealing to donor agencies and health sector stakeholders, Governor Yahaya emphasized the facility’s crucial role not only in Gombe State but also across the entire North-eastern region.
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Works and Transport to expedite recommendations for revitalizing the facility, emphasizing its historical significance as a key distribution center for medical supplies in the region.
The destruction, estimated at over 5 billion naira, presents a significant setback for Gombe, particularly as preparations were underway for the March-April 2024 Polio Campaign.
During the inspection, Health Commissioner Dr. Habu Dahiru revealed that the inferno destroyed vaccines valued at over five billion naira, including recently received doses from UNICEF and Rotary International.
The extensive damage included polio vaccines, routine immunization supplies, cold storage facilities, equipment for Pfizer Covid vaccines, maternal and child health supplies, nutritional items, and more.
The cold store, over 60 years old, previously served as a crucial holding facility for vaccines destined for distribution to other North-eastern states, further highlighting the severity of the loss.
Quest: Cris-Edesiri Odjomah