…Melts over 2m doses of polio vaccine
By: Danjuma Attah,
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has sent a ‘Save Our Soul’ (SOS) message to the Federal Government of Nigeria, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other health sector stakeholders to come to their aid after a fierce early morning inferno gutted the Gombe State Central Medical Store.
The Governor made the appeal after a visit to assess the damage caused by the fire which completely destroyed the facility that has played a crucial role in supporting healthcare not only in the State, but across the entire northeast subregion.
Visibly worried by the incident, Governor Inuwa expressed deep concern over the destruction which has posed a significant setback for the State as it scheduled to kick off the March-April 2024 Polio Myelitis Campaign.
The Gombe State Central Medical Store is a critical healthcare facility currently housing over 2 million doses of polio vaccine and various essential medical consumables and equipment.
During the visit, Governor Inuwa vowed to take immediate measures to address what he described as a ‘catastrophic situation’.
According to him, “This facility was at some point the center for drugs distribution to the entire northeast region, not only Gombe state.
“Prompt intervention by the Federal Government, development partners such as WHO, UNICEFand 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 and provide immediate recommendations, stressing the urgency of revitalizing the facility in view of its historical role as a key distribution center for medical supplies in the region.
Taking the Governor round, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, revealed that the inferno obliterated vaccines valued at over five billion naira, including 2 million doses recently received from UNICEF and Rotary International for distribution across the state’s Local Government Areas.
He said the extensive damage also included polio vaccine, routine immunization 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 centers and maternity.
Refrigerators, cylinders, air conditioners, and motorcycles were also 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.
