In a bid to aid countries combat coronavirus, Madagascar has sent its locally made herbal remedy, known as COVID-Organics (CVO) to 15 African countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On Monday, April 20, President Andry Rajoelina launched the herbal remedy, which he claimed can prevent and cure the disease.
“This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” Rajoelina, 45, told journalists and diplomats in April. Adding that, “Two people have been cured already.”
The herbal remedy was developed by Congolese Doctor, Dr. Jerome Munyagi in partnership with the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMAR).
According to the IMAR, COVID Organics contains Artemisia – a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment and other indigenous herbs.
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Rajoelina announced on Instagram on Friday, May 1, that the remedy would be made available to coronavirus patients in all friendly countries across Africa and around the world.
He stated that:
Madagascar and its African brothers are united in the response to the coronavirus. It is with honor that we send these CVO herbal teas to the 15 member countries of ECOWAS through Guinea Bissau.
Madagascar will make Tambavy CVO available to all coronavirus patients in all friendly countries in Africa, in the Indian Ocean and around the world.
While other African countries, including Nigeria, have recorded overwhelming confirmed cases and deaths, the Island country has 151 confirmed cases, 99 recoveries and zero death as at Press time.
It would be recalled that shortly after CVO was launched, the World Health Organisation (WHO), whose representatives were conspicuously absent at the launch, said there was no proof of a cure for the disease, warning against the widespread use of untested remedies.
In a statement sent to the BBC on May 5th, 2020, the global organisation said it did not recommend “self-medication with any medicines as a prevention or cure for Covid-19.”
Meanwhile, African Union (AU) has confirmed that they are in discussion with the Republic of Madagascar over the safety and efficacy of CVO herbal remedy to prevent and treat COVID-19.
The AU made this known in a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and published on its website.
