Beira — The director of the Beira Central Hospital, Augusto Come, has denied allegations that his institution is running out of medicines and other equipment, as claimed by the Sofala provincial delegate of the opposition Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), Flora Impula.

Last weekend, as part of the MDM's campaign for the forthcoming general elections, Impula said that the hospital, one of the largest in the country, is short of drugs and gloves.

According to her, "this is a clear sign that one should vote for Daviz Simango", the MDM leader, and mayor of Beira, who is currently running for the Presidency, against the incumbent, Armando Guebuza of the ruling Frelimo Party, and Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the former rebel movement Renamo.

Macome called a press conference, not only to deny these allegations, but also to show reporters the existing stocks of drugs and all the materials necessary for medical exams and for the protection of health workers.

He told reporters that the hospital has at least 75,000 pairs of gloves for medical examinations and 12,500 pairs of surgical gloves. As for drugs, Macome showed reporters a stock large enough to respond to demand.

Impula also attacked the situation in Mozambican education sector, making the wild allegation that primary school pupils complete grade seven and still do not know how to write their own names.