A fire outbreak has destroyed property worth hundreds of millions of naira at the Ministry of Health complex in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The incident affected a cold storage facility used for immunisation, where vaccines, solar equipment, refrigerators, and important medical supplies were lost. Hospital items supplied by the National Primary Health Care Development Authority were also destroyed.
The Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, confirmed that no lives were lost but described the damage as severe.
“Different vaccines like BCG, Penta, the HPV vaccine, etc. that were all stored in that cold room were burnt.”
He said the cause of the fire is still unknown, noting that the facility had experienced power issues before the incident. A committee has been set up to investigate.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Fire Service said it responded quickly after receiving a distress call but met the fire already spreading. Officials also confirmed that the incident has disrupted immunisation activities in the area.
