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Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina (in the photo) has officially launched a local herbal remedy that is said to prevent and cure the new coronavirus.
“There have been tests: two people have now been cured with this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and journalists at the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research (IMRA), which developed the drink.
“This herbal tea works in seven days,” he said.
SEE ALSO: More Kenyans Still Starving, According to Hunger Report
Lowering a dose, he said, “I will be the first to drink this today, in front of you, to show you that this product cures and does not kill.”
Called Covid-Organics, the drink is derived from Artemisia, a plant with proven efficacy in treating malaria, and other indigenous herbs, according to IMRA.
But their safety and efficacy have not been internationally evaluated, nor have trial data been published in peer-reviewed studies. Leading scientists have warned about the potential risk of untested herbal teas.
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Rajoelina set aside any such reservation and said that the concoction would be offered to schoolchildren, as it was their duty “to protect the Malagasy people.”
Covid-Organics will be used as prophylaxis, that is, for prevention, but clinical observations have shown a trend toward its effectiveness in curative treatment, “said Dr. Charles Andrianjara, CEO of IMRA.
The great island of the Indian Ocean has so far detected 121 cases and no deaths.
The pandemic has sparked an avalanche of herbal formulas, lemons, and ginger in the belief that they can protect against the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which must monitor people over the alleged cures for COVID-19, did not attend the event.
The US Centers for Disease Control. USA (CDC), referring to claims of herbal or tea remedies, says: “There is no scientific evidence that any of these alternative remedies can prevent or cure the disease caused by COVID-19. In fact, some of them may not be safe to consume. ”
Global hunger
Meanwhile, the number of people facing acute food insecurity could almost double this year to 265 million due to the economic consequences of COVID-19, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said Tuesday.
The impact of loss of tourism revenue, falling remittances and travel and other restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic is expected to leave some 130 million people hungry this year, adding to around 135 millions already in that category.
“COVID-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions of people who are already hanging on by a thread,” said Arif Husain, chief economist and director of research, evaluation and monitoring for the World Food Program (WFP).
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Global Hunger Madagascar Andry Rajoelina Coronavirus
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