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

South Africa Receives Cuban Medics To Help Treat COVID-19 Patients

South Africa on Sunday received a medical team from Cuba to help health officials treat COVID-19 patients.

The 217 health care professionals include doctors, nurses, epidemiologists and technical experts.

“It’s really something great, the feeling for what is being done to help other countries with fewer resources deal with this pandemic is hard to describe, to leave your family and everything else to confront this for those who don’t have the means”, Teresa de la Cruz, a nurse said.

It's really something great, the feeling for what is being done to help other countries...

The largest contingent has been deployed to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Cuban officials say the large team sent to South Africa will bring much needed support and expertise to a health system struggling to contain and treat an increasing number of COVID-19 patients.

Cuba is dealing with its own virus outbreak. But according to officials, measures to contain COVID-19 are showing signs of success, even as the number of cases continues to grow.

Cuba has deployed a total of 1,200 medical professionals in 23 nations since the global pandemic.

Over 4,300 COVID-19 cases have been registered in South Africa with 86 fatalities.

Source: AP

South Africa To Ease Lockdown - President Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa will begin easing restrictions after its nationwide lockdown comes to an end on April 30, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during a televised address Thursday night. 

The country will adopt a five-level alert system to determine future restrictions dependent on coronavirus spread and readiness to combat the disease, with an immediate downgrade from the strictest level five to level four on May 1.

Under level four, certain sectors of the economy will be permitted to resume phased operations including much of the country’s mining sector.

South Africa’s borders will remain closed. No travel will be allowed between provinces except for transportation of goods and for exceptional circumstances such as funerals. South Africans will still be encouraged to stay home, but people can begin to exercise under strict public health conditions. The sale of cigarettes will again be permitted, but bars will remain closed, along with entertainment venues and events.

Roughly 75% of confirmed cases in South Africa have been found in just six of the country’s metro areas, Ramaphosa said, outlining the reasons for continued strict travel restrictions. 

Earlier on Thursday, Ramaphosa spoke with President Trump on the phone to discuss the two country’s Covid-19 response.

“I have passed our condolences to the government and the people of the US on the devastation the virus has wrought," Ramaphosa said in subsequent tweet.