(KDRTV)-Madagascar President Andry Rajoeline has expressed his worries about how the world is reacting towards the herbal tonic for COVID-19 invented in his country
According to the president, the tonic issue illustrates West`s attitudes towards Africa
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The World Health Organization (WHO) had issued warnings against the use of untested COVID-19 remedies
President Rajoelina`s herbal had not undergone clinical trial to prove it safe for human consumption
The African Union (AU) has obligated that it wanted to review the scientific data on the safety and efficacy of the product referred to as Covid-Organics
“If it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,” President Rajoelina said during an interview with French news channel
KDRTV understands that so far, Madagascar has confirmed 193 positive cases of coronavirus with no fatalities reported
According to reports revealed by presidential aide to BBC, the tonic was tried on less than 20 people over three weeks which is contrary to the guidelines set by WHO.
Despite the fact that the tonic has not been proved clinically, many African countries including Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia and Guinea Bissau have already procured the Covid-Organics
The tonic is produced from artemisia plant- the plant that produces an ingredient used in malaria treatment together with other Malagasy plants
“African scientists… should not be underestimated,” said the president
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However, there is no peer-reviewed data to reveal the efficacy of the newly invented COVID-19 tonic
KDRTV also understands that WHO has held a meeting with 70 expert of traditional medicine from Africa and agreed that clinical trials are still of crucial value.
70 traditional medicine experts from countries across #Africa held a virtual meeting with @WHO on the role of traditional medicine in the #COVID19 response.
They unanimously agreed that clinical trials must be conducted for all medicines in the Region, without exception. pic.twitter.com/fCKYiYiMqb
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 12, 2020
A section of African leaders also have the same feeling as the Madagascar president over the herbal tonic issue
Julius Sello Malema who is a South African politician who is a Member of Parliament and the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters has severally lit the social condemning the European countries for looking down upon the herbal medicine since it is manufactured in Africa.
