The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is currently no proof of a cure for the novel coronavirus. This is coming after Madagascar's president launched a herbal coronavirus "cure".
At the launch, President Andry Rajoelina said the herbal tea which is called COVID-Organics has cured two patients who tested positive already.
Mr Rajoelina said at the launch that "tests have been carried out - two people have now been cured by this treatment."
"This herbal tea gives results in seven days," said the 45-year-old president, who also urged people to use it as a preventative measure…Schoolchildren should be given this to drink... little by little throughout the day," he added.
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| President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina drinks a "Covid Organics", a herbal medicine, which allegedly being developed against coronavirus (Covid-19), during a press conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar on April 20, 2020. Covid Organics composed of artemisia plant developed by Madagascar Applied Research Institute and healing herbs is presented in Madagascar. (Photo by Henitsoa Rafalia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) |
The product is from the artemisia plant - the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment - and other Malagasy plants.
However, a statement sent to the BBC by WHO said that the global organisation did not recommend "self-medication with any medicines... as a prevention or cure for COVID-19."
The statement reiterated the earlier comments made by the WHO head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that there were "no short-cuts" to finding effective mediation to fight coronavirus.
Adding that trials are ongoing to find an effective treatment for the novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the country's National Medical Academy (Anamem) has also questioned the efficacy of the herbal tea.
As of April 22, Madagascar’s case stats stood at 121 cases of which 44 had recovered with no deaths.
Author: Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh
Source: Pulse Ghana
