Fire Destroys Pharmacy in Divo, Côte d'Ivoire; SCMS Ensures Uninterrupted Treatment

The fire, caused by a short circuit, engulfed the pharmacy, resulting in the destruction of $43,000 worth of general medicines and $54,000 worth of antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Although the laboratory equipment was recovered, it was deemed non-functional due to fire damage. Following the fire, the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) quickly responded to the situation by meeting with hospital representatives and the regional pharmacist to assess the damage and identify measures to mitigate any potential disruption in health services. SCMS supported the hospital in assessing the need to place an emergency order for ARVs and other essential drugs to the central medical store, Nouvelle Pharmacie de Santé Publique (NPSP). The system also assisted in identifying temporary storage rooms for the new stock and some of the medicines salvaged from the fire. Temporary storage rooms were established at the office of the regional pharmacist and the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP). SCMS provided logistical assistance to the hospital in re-organizing the available space in the hospital and opening a temporary pharmacy. The temporary pharmacy for general medicines is situated in a small room with basic racking and limited organized storage space, making for challenging work. Despite these challenges, the timely support of SCMS has enabled the hospital to continue providing continuous service to patients. ARV distribution has continued without interruption to the Loh-Djiboua region since the fire, and no stockouts of general medicines have been reported. Patients, such as Etienne, a young mother on ARV treatment, have continued to receive their medicines as before, with some even expressing gratitude for the uninterrupted service. Prior to the fire, SCMS had plans in place to renovate Divo's regional hospital pharmacy, and efforts are now being made to start the renovation as soon as possible, with a target completion date of June 2015. The timely response and support of SCMS have ensured uninterrupted treatment to patients in the Loh-Djiboua region, despite the devastating fire that destroyed a significant portion of the regional hospital's pharmacy. The system's efforts have enabled the hospital to continue providing essential health services to the community, and plans are now underway to renovate the pharmacy and improve its operations.