‘It’s a disaster’ – Ghana’s drug supply in danger after CMS fire outbreak
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Ghana Health Service has said the Central Medical Stores ravaged by
fire is a disaster for the supply of drugs to hospitals and pharmacies
across the country.
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service Dr. Appiah Denykera told
Joy News the inferno at the biggest drugs supply and distribution
center in Ghana is likely to have a dire effect on drug supply in
Ghana.
“They are all sorts of drugs there from malaria, tuberculosis,
medications, hospital items, beds. It is going to be a disaster
because now our daily consumption we will not be able to get it”, he
told Joy News.
Firefighters are battling an inferno at the CMS in Tema Tuesday
morning. Huge billows of thick dark smoke cloud the skyline at the
Tema Heavy Industrial Area.
The CMS supplies drugs to Regional outlets for distribution to over
200 Districts across the country.
Reacting to the second major fire incident in 2015, the
Director-General expressed fears of an impending drug shortage.
“What it means is that we are going to run short of medications at
facilities because that is the place where we stores all on
[medications and facilities]”
In the short term, he said the Health Service would get in touch with
local and international suppliers after they get an estimate of the
extent of the loss.
The Service also plans to rely on Regional Distribution Centers for
emergency support.
“We have got some stock in the regions so we will fall on that,” he said.
Credit: Myjoyonline