THE Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has said that the country now has enough anti-malaria drugs in stock for over six months.

Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam on Friday at the Ministry's headquarters, Dr Mwinyi said the ministry has received a sufficient supply of drugs that will be distributed to health centres across the country.Earlier, the Ministry's monitoring tool, 'SMS for Life', showed that there were about 1,280 public health facilities without anti-malarial drugs.

Dr Mwinyi who acknowledged the results said the shortage was caused by delays in clearing the drugs at the Dar es Salaam port.In a separate development, government purchased materials worth 500m/- to support the disabled and the elderly people.The materials were issued in Dar es Salaam on Friday by Dr Mwnyi.

They included health, and economic generating equipment. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Mwinyi said the facilities will be distributed in 17 areas and the rest will be taken to colleges.The materials included, wheelchairs, stretchers, blankets, special caps elbow clutches, note takers, brailles, computers, among other gadgets.

"The materials demonstrate the government's commitment towards supporting people living with disabilities as well as the elderly," he said.

Dr Mwinyi asked beneficiaries to ensure that the materials are used as intended for their benefit.