Gambia has become the latest African country to take delivery of Madagascar’s Covid-Organics, a herbal tonic touted as treatment for COVID-19.
The West African nation received a consignment of the herbal remedy on Tuesday, according to government officials.
The consignment sent to Gambia by Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, is part of a consignment of donation to ECOWAS countries.
“The consignment is part of a gift to ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] countries towards the fight against COVID-19. They have been delivered to the Ministry of Health,” a statement from the Gambian presidency said.
Gambia has confirmed 22 cases of coronavirus with one death and 10 recoveries so far and is hopeful the latest remedy would help deal with the pandemic.
There have been several criticisms against the drug from Madagascar but President Andry Rajoelina has responded to those saying they are meant to look down on Africa.
Rajoelina said in an interview with France24 that “If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so.”
“We had 171 cases, of which 105 were cured and the majority of these patients who were cured took only the product Covid-Organics,” Rajoelina said in the interview.
Covid-Organics was developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (Imra).
The herbal remedy was produced from artemisia plant, an ingredient used in a malaria treatment and other Malagasy plants.
Opinion: “I see dead bodies all over Africa” Did she say that?
Source: Africafeeds.com
