**Devastating fire at the Kisangani essential medicines purchasing center (CAMEKIS)**
The city of Kisangani, located in the Tshopo province, was the scene of a dramatic disaster in the early hours of the morning of Monday, August 5. Indeed, a fire broke out at the Kisangani essential medicines purchasing center, commonly known as CAMEKIS, causing considerable damage. The director of the establishment, Dr. Eyane, confirmed the extent of the losses, estimated at more than one million US dollars.
CAMEKIS, the main pharmaceutical depot in the region, occupies an impressive surface area of 1,300 square meters. Its vital mission is to supply essential medicines to no less than 23 health zones in Tshopo as well as 4 health zones in the North of Maniema province. The stock reduced to ashes would have had the capacity to meet the needs of the local populations for a period of 5 months.
The circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear, and investigations are underway to determine the exact causes. The delay in the arrival of emergency services, including the fire-fighting vehicle, raises questions about preparedness and responsiveness to such emergencies. It is particularly alarming to note that this is not the first incident of its kind, a similar fire having already occurred 5 years ago.
The impact of this fire goes well beyond material losses. The local population is likely to bear the brunt of the consequences of this disaster, with a potential risk of shortages of essential medicines in the coming weeks. This situation underlines the crucial importance of having effective mechanisms for fire risk prevention and rapid response in the event of an emergency.
In conclusion, the fire at CAMEKIS in Kisangani is a tragedy with profound consequences for public health in the region. It highlights the critical issues related to the security of essential infrastructure, calling for serious consideration of the measures to be put in place to avoid such tragedies in the future.