13 May Nigeria: Buhari approves test of Madagascar COVID-19 herbal cure in Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced this week that Madagascar’s lauded herbal cure for coronavirus is on its way to Nigeria for clinical investigation of its efficacy. The test, intended to be carried out by the agency, is in contrast with the World Health Organisation, which has debunked the effectiveness of the drug, albeit, according to Madagascar’s authorities, prematurely.
The Chairman of the Presidential taskforce on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha said on Monday, at the task force’s daily press briefing in Abuja, that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed taskforce to procure the African herbal mixture, explaining, however, that it, like others in the country, would be subject to the drug regulatory authorities’ validation before it could be used for the treatment of the patients.
He said the president had also directed PTF to go to Guinea Bissau to pick up the mixture better known as COVID-Organics.
Meanwhile, Madagascar has claimed that at least 55 patients have recovered after being treated with the proposed herbal remedy. According to the Madagascan news network, L’ Express de Madagascar, the number of COVID-19 patients said to have recovered after using the herbal mixture with the drug rose after three recoveries were announced on Saturday. It added that to aid the fight against COVID-19, the drug, which they launched in April, was being distributed freely around the country.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the number of people infected with the virus rose to 4,641 yesterday as 242 more persons were infected. But according to reports, 124 people have been discharged, bringing the total number of recovery to 902. Unfortunately, 10 more persons succumbed to its fatality, raising the figure of the dead to 150 across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But a lot of controversy surrounds the herb as there have been no medical trials and it was only developed in April. One of the few institutions to speak out is West Africa’s regional bloc Ecowas, which distanced itself from claims it had ordered COVID-Organics
Image source: Mail & Guardian
Main source: AllAfrica
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