Covid-19: Madagascar's President Snubs WHO For Not Endorsing It Herbal Cure

Madagascar's President Rajoelina has snubbed WHO for not endorsing it Covid-19 Herbal cure. He said WHO has shut eyes, as a drug to combat COVID-19 has been discovered by a poor African country

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina has however, slammed the World Health Organization for not endorsing its COVID-19 herbal cure.

Last month, the Malagasy president officially launched Covid-Organics (CVO), an organic herbal concoction, claiming that it can prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus.

"If it were an European country which had discovered this remedy, would there be so many doubts,'' he said in an exclusive interview with France 24, Paris-based international television news network and Radio France International.

''The problem is that it comes from Africa. And they cannot accept that a country like Madagascar, which is one of the poorest countries in the world, has discovered this formula to save the world," he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had warned against the use of CVO without any medical supervision and cautioned against self-medication. The WHO further said that they have not approved the concoction for the patients suffering from COVID-19.

On Thursday, the WHO, however, has called for clinical trials of CVO.

"Covid-Organics is a preventive and curative remedy against COVID-19, which works very well," said President Rajoelina.

He attributed recovery of 105 COVID-19 patients in Madagascar to the herbal potion.

"A marked improvement was observed in the health of the patients who received this remedy just 24 hours after they took the first dose. The cure was noted after seven days, even ten days. This remedy is natural and non-toxic," he said.

Madagascar has donated CVO, which is claimed to cure the COVID-19 to several African countries.

Last week, the African Union in a statement said it is talking with Madagascar to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficiency of the herbal remedy.

Madagascar slams WHO for not endorsing its herbal cure https://t.co/6VnTVhBB3X

— YGist Ng (@YgistNG) May 11, 2020

Madagascar Request South Africa Support For Scientific Research On It Covid-19 Herbal Cure

South Africa on Wednesday confirmed that Madagascar had requested assistance with scientific research on Artemisia – the herb used in the production of COVID-Organics.

Addressing the issue, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said South Africa had agreed that its scientists will only assist with analysis of the herb.

“We received a call from the government of Madagascar, who asked for help with scientific research. Our scientists would be able to assist with this research. We will only get involved in a scientific analysis of the herb. We are not at that point yet,” Mkhize tweeted.

The now controversial herb has been donated by the Malagasy government to a number of African countries amongst them: Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo and Guinea-Bissau – the latter received a consignment meant for the ECOWAS region.

The African Union, AU, have confirmed that they are in talks with Madagascar over COVID-Organics, the island nation’s purported herbal cure for COVID-19.

A May 4 statement by the AU said it was in contact with Antananarivo “through its embassy in Addis Ababa, with a view to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficiency of a herbal remedy, recently announced by Madagascar for the reported prevention and treatment of COVID19.”

AU and Malagasy diplomats have held meetings in Addis Ababa with the view to getting necessary information regarding the remedy.

“Once furnished with the details, the Union, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will review the scientific data gathered so far on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 Organics.

“This review will be based on global technical and ethical norms to garner the necessary scientific evidence regarding the performance of the tonic,” an AU statement further disclosed.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, WHO; have reiterated its caution against people putting their faith in herbal remedies that have not been scientifically tested.

In a statement, WHO said despite supporting all efforts – including traditional medicines – in search for treatments, it was important that any purported treatments be thoroughly tested.

In his last address, President Rajoelina said Madagascar was building a factory to scale up production. He also said the cure was to undergo clinical trials and that aside the drinks, injection options were being pursued. Over half-dozen African countries have expressed interest in it.

Madagascar herbs: We received a call from the government of Madagascar, who asked for help with scientific research.Our scientists would be able to assist with this research.We will only get involved in a scientific analysis of the herb. We are not at that point yet.

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 6, 2020