The World Health Organization says there are close to ten “top” candidates for a COVID-19 vaccine, but ignores the Madagascan herbal drug treating African having COVID19.
The WHO has been criticised for it’s handling of the virus, with some accusing the body of neglecting Madagascar’s organic treatment.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has said criticism of herbal tonic that he is touting as a treatment for Covid-19 shows the West’s condescending attitude towards Africa.
“If it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,” Mr Rajoelina said in an interview with French news channel, France 24..
In the television interview, Mr Rajoelina said “African scientists… should not be underestimated.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against using Madagascan herbal (COVID organic) remedies to treat coronavirus.
Mr Rajoelina’s tonic has been has undergone successful trials in his country and other African countries, but the W.H.O insist it has not undergone clinical trials. The tonic was tried out on fewer than 20 people over three weeks, a presidential aide told the BBC, when the product was first launched last month.
Madagascar has reported 193 Covid-19 cases and no deaths.
Despite the reservations, several African countries, including Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia, have already ordered Covid-Organics, which is produced from the artemisia plant – the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment – and other Malagasy plants.
A meeting of 70 experts on African traditional medicine has agreed that clinical trials for all medicines must be carried out, the WHO’s Africa region has tweeted.