By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A fire outbreak struck the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health cold store in Abakaliki early Friday morning, destroying vaccines and critical equipment worth millions of naira. The incident occurred at about 5:18 a.m. at Block 5, Centenary City. Firefighters responded quickly, contained the blaze, and prevented further damage. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, while authorities have launched an investigation.
Swift Response Limits Further Damage
The Officer in Charge of Operations at the State Fire Service, Frank Oka Ota, said his team acted immediately after receiving a distress call.
According to him, the fire was intense, but firefighters worked fast to stop it from spreading. As a result, nearby structures remained safe.
Ota also praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for providing two new fire trucks. He noted that the trucks improved emergency response time.
However, he urged the government to recruit more personnel to strengthen operations.
Massive Loss of Vaccines and Equipment
The fire destroyed several critical items stored in the facility. These include:
- Vaccines such as BCG, pentavalent, and HPV
- Vaccine carriers and cold-chain boxes
- Laptops and official documents
- Five refrigerators and two solar-powered refrigerators
- 45 solar batteries and inverters
In addition, hospital beds and mattresses meant for distribution were lost. These supplies were scheduled for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Intervention areas.
Power Failure Raises Concerns
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, expressed concern over the incident. He revealed that the facility lacked public power for five days before the fire.
Moreover, the backup solar system was not working at the time. Efforts to restore electricity had started, but delays occurred.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company had been contacted. Meanwhile, the solar engineer responsible for repairs was out of town.
Government Orders Investigation
Authorities have set up a committee to determine the cause of the fire. The committee will also recommend preventive measures.
Furthermore, structural experts will assess the extent of the damage. This step will guide repair and rebuilding efforts.
Ekuma also directed the relocation of staff from the affected Immunisation Unit. This move will help restore operations quickly.
Impact on Public Health Services
The fire has disrupted immunisation activities across the state. It has also raised concerns about protecting critical medical infrastructure.
Despite the losses, Ekuma expressed relief that no lives were lost. He also commended the fire service, security agencies, and Ministry of Power officials for their quick response.
Conclusion
The Ebonyi fire incident highlights the need for stronger infrastructure and reliable power systems. It also underscores the importance of safeguarding essential medical supplies.
