Fire destroys vaccines, medical consumables in Gombe central medical store

Millions of doses of critical vaccines and other medical consumables worth over N5b were destroyed in a fierce early morning inferno that gutted the Gombe Central Medical Store

The store is a critical healthcare facility that houses over 2 million doses of polio vaccines and other various essential medical consumables and equipment.

The destruction, valued at over N5 billion, has now posed a significant setback for Gombe, as it is scheduled to kick off the March-April 2024 Polio Myelitis campaign during which the vaccines were expected to be administered.

State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya promptly inspected the charred remains of the State Mega Medical Cold Store facility, where he stressed the urgent need to address the catastrophic situation.

Inuwa Yahaya appealed to donor agencies and health sector stakeholders to come to the aid of the state urgently, emphasising the facility’s role in supporting healthcare not only in the state but across the entire Northeastern subregion.

The Governor stated, “This facility was at some point the centre for drug distribution to the entire northeast 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.”

He directed the Commissioner for Works and Transport to swiftly move his technical team to the site and provide immediate recommendations to save the situation.

He stressed the urgency of revitalizing the facility in view of its historical role as a key distribution centre for medical supplies in the region.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, while conducting the Governor round the destroyed facility, revealed that the inferno obliterated vaccines valued at over N5 billion.

He explained that it included 2 million doses recently received from UNICEF and Rotary International for distribution across the state’s local government areas.

The extensive damage also included polio vaccine, 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.

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 Northeastern states.