Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina sips Covid Organics, which he touts as a remedy for coronavirus (AFP Photo/RIJASOLO) |
Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina on Monday batted away criticism for promoting a homegrown "remedy" for COVID-19, charging that the West has a condescending attitude toward traditional African medicine.
"If it
wasn't Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually
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 anti-malarial 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 can't admit...
that a country like Madagascar... has come up with this formula to save the
world," said Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within 10
days.
Already
Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have taken delivery of
consignments of the potion, which was launched last month.
"No
country or organisation will keep us from going forward," Rajoelina said
in response to the WHO's concerns.
He said
proof of the tonic's efficacy was in "the healing of our sick".
Madagascar
has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries, with no
deaths.
"The
patients who were cured were cured through the administration of Covid-Organics
alone," the president said.
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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