The Republic of Madagascar has offered its herbal drug – COVID Organics (CVO) – to Nigeria and other African countries for prevention and cure of coronavirus.
The ‘coronavirus cure’ is a herbal tea launched on April 20th by the Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina developed by in the country.
The Nation reports that for ease of transportation, African countries were divided into zones leading to the freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has reportedly been notified of the offer from Madagascar and arrangements are being made to bring Nigeria’s allocation to Abuja.
A source told the Nations;
The consignments of the drug are being distributed to different countries in Africa based on zonal grouping. We have been told that Nigeria’s consignment is in Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja.
When the herbal drink is brought into the country, we will know the next step. But some medical and scientific organisations are pressurising that the drug be subjected to clinical trial.
Some countries like Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have subscribed to the drugs. Also, while South Africa has offered to conduct a scientific analysis of the drug, Senegal said it will subject it to clinical trial.
It added that;
I can assure you that the Federal Government will take the best decision on the drug in the overall interest of Nigerians. Before any food or drug can be administered in this country, there are certain protocols that must be followed. The government will not circumvent these protocols. We want solution; we want the best for Nigerians.
There is reportedly pressure on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) subject the drug to further analysis.
However, the Government was yet to take a position as at last weekend, as they await scientific data being gathered by Africa Union’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the safety and efficacy of the COVID Organics.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its health Institution, West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) had recently refuted claims that it endorsed Madagascar’s herbal cure for coronavirus.
In a press release, the health bodies denied claims that they had “ordered a package of COVID Organics (CVO) medicine from a third country.”
