The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it will be supporting the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to help African countries explore traditional remedies for Covid-19.
The WHO and the Africa CDC have formed a committee that would advise and provide support into research into traditional remedies against the virus.
“As the world races to find treatment and vaccines against the virus, research into traditional and orthodox medicines as potential Covid-19 therapy must be grounded in science,” Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement.
The experts according to the WHO will advise African countries on the science, safety and quality of traditional medicine.
According to a statement by the WHO, countries will be supported to ensure that clinical trials of traditional medicines comply with international standards.
Madagascar has been the main country in Africa touting its herbal remedy for Coronavirus.
The country’s President, Andry Rajoelina had said the herbal remedy called ‘COVID-Organics'(CVO) was effective. It was developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research.
But the country is already overwhelmed by the virus with patients fighting for their lives.
Nigerian researchers said last week that there is no evidence Madagascar’s herbal drug cures and treats coronavirus.
The country’s president Mahamadu Buhari ordered health officials in the country to accept a consignment of the drug when Madagascar made a donation in May.
The consignment of the herbal tea came from President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina.
But the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in Nigeria has said that its analysis of the herb did not show any evidence of efficacy.
The latest move by the WHO does not only recognize the role traditional medicine can play in the fight against Covid-19 but also that proper research is needed to proof efficacy of any herbal drug touted as cure or treatment for Covid-19.
Source: Africafeeds.com
