The department continues with its internal investigation on the Mthatha medical depot fire which has caused structural damage at the facility. Furniture worth about R100 000, HIV testing kits and ARV drugs were destroyed in the fire that occurred on the night of Sunday, 3 April 2011.
At the time of the fire the medical depot had stored drugs to the value of R13 million. The stock is now being verified whether it is safe for human consumption or not.
The department cannot rule out that the motive was to destroy evidence as we are busy with stock-taking at the facility. Tuberculosis drugs were also destroyed in the fire.
MEC Sicelo Gqobana, has requested the provincial police commissioner to establish a task team to investigate the incident.
A month ago MEC ordered a forensic investigation into pharmaceutical services after clinics and hospitals complained that medicine was not distributed on time and when they arrived there were always shortages.
The Mthatha depot supplies state hospitals and clinics in the eastern part of the province with drugs.
Source: Eastern Cape Health
