CMS fire: Top officials to be interdicted

Some top officials in charge of the Central Medical Stores are likely to be interdicted today, Monday January 19.

The facility which serves as a major depot for World Health Organization's supplies was burnt down by fire last week.

Anti-retroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS patients as well as drugs for malaria and virtually all medicines, drugs and medical logistics used in Ghana’s hospitals are kept at the facility.

Medical supplies and equipment worth over Ghc237 million were lost in the fire outbreak.

According to sources, a number of top officials including Director of Procurement and Supply, Ministry of Health, Samuel Boateng, Director Supply Stores and Drug Management, Ghana Health Service, Dr Kwesi Addai Donkor and Head of Stores at the Central Medical Stores, Abdul Karim Iddrisu are likely to be interdicted.

Starrfmonline.com reported last week that an interim investigative report revealed that the fire-ravaged facility had no fire safety certificate.

The fire, which has been described as a national disaster by the President, has put Ghana’s healthcare sector in a dire position as the stock available at the regional stores could last for only three months.