The Ministry of Health has disclosed that items worth over GHC 200 million were destroyed by the fire outbreak at the Tema Central Medical Stores (CMS).
“It is very unfortunate, but the estimated total cost of items destroyed by the fire outbreak is two hundred and thirty seven million, seven hundred and ninety-eight thousand seven hundred and seven Ghana Cedis was (GHc 237,798,707.00),” said the sector Minister, Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah.
[contextly_sidebar id=”sXXlyqN3eq8tiY0MIlBNBXjvK5xaUD3L”]This figure was revealed by the Minister for Health, Dr Kwaku Agyemang- Mensah, at a press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of Health’s conference room.
The CMS, which stored medical supplies for onward distribution across the country, was gutted by fire in the early hours of Tuesday.
Reports indicate that the fire begun when someone tried to burn refuse behind the medical stores.
According to the Health Minister, this incident will not, in any way, affect drug supply in the country and then assured citizens that the Ministry will strongly investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“This investigation together with the investigation the Ghana National Fire Service is undertaking will inform us what happened and let me assure every Ghanaian that the Ministry will follow this to the later and anybody found culpable in this will be made to face the full rigors of the law,” he said.
“Let me use this opportunity to allay fears of Ghanaians this will not in any way affect drug supply,” he assured.
By: Patricia Conteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana