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Central Medical Stores Destroys GH¢ 237m Worth Of Items

The 32 hours fire outbreak at Central Medical Stores destroyed GH¢ 237m worth of items.

After 32 hours of fire outbreak at the Central Medical Stores (CMS), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed the fire has been extinguished.

About 15 fire tenders from the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and the Military aid the Ghana National Fire Service to fight the wild fire.

According to unconfirmed reports the fire which destroyed the CMS situated at the Tema industrial area was probable cause by bush fire when someone was seen trying to burn refuse behind the medical stores.

In an interview with Citifm the Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNFS, Prince Anaglatey says they have been able to put out the fire, adding that “We are still on the ground trying to investigate the cause of this fire and we are also trying to cool the temperature of the burning materials.” “Every fire scene is taken to be a crime scene where you investigate every possible cause to the fire so we are not ruling out anything, we are only continuing to do our investigation as normal as it is done for any fire; be it minor or major fire.”

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However addressing the media on Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, said items destroyed in the fire incident include essential medicines, medicine consumables, TB medicines, HIV/AIDS medicines, condoms, insecticide treated nets and Ebola protective equipment among others,  which will cost over GH¢237 million.

"The Central Medical Stores usually hold 12 months stock," the minister disclosed.

He served notice to the national security outfit has been informed to initiate “full scale investigations into the case” to inform their next line of action.

"This investigation together with the one being done by the fire service will help us know what happened," Dr Agyemang-Mensah said.

He also assured that the count has enough drugs and medical equipment that could last within three months.

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