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Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina on Monday rejected criticism for promoting a home-grown “remedy” for Covid-19, alleging that the West has a condescending attitude towards traditional African medicine.
“If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had really discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,” he told French media in an interview.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics infusion, which Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested.
The drink is derived from artemisia, a plant with proven antimalarial properties, and other indigenous herbs.
“African scientists … should not be underestimated,” he told France 24 and Radio France International (RFI).
“I think the problem is that (the drink) comes from Africa and they cannot admit … that a country like Madagascar … has devised this formula to save the world,” said Rajoelina, who claims that the infusion cures the patients within 10 days.
ALSO READ: Is the Madagascar Herbal Remedy a Covid-19 quackery or cure?
Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have already received shipments of the potion, which launched last month.
“No country or organization will prevent us from moving forward,” Rajoelina said in response to WHO concerns.
He said that the proof of the effectiveness of the tonic was in “the cure of our patients”.
Madagascar has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries, with no deaths.
“Patients who were cured were cured by administering Covid-Organics alone,” said the president.
He referred to the remedy as “an improved traditional medicine”, adding that Madagascar was not conducting clinical trials but “clinical observations” in accordance with WHO guidelines.
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