Hospitals in Madagascar have warned they are overwhelmed after a spike in coronavirus cases in a country where the president has been promoting a herbal drink to treat the virus.
This comes after President Andry Rajoelina re-imposed a lockdown on the central region until 26 July, allowing only one person per household to go out for food and medicine.
Rajoelina attributed the restrictions to a spike in infections being reported in the country.
President Rajoelina has received worldwide attention for promoting the Covid-Organics, which is produced from the artemisia plant – the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment – and other Malagasy plants.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) dismissed the drink, disputing evidence that the drink works against Covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) added that Africans deserve access to medicines that have gone through proper trials even if they are derived from traditional treatments.
The country’s hospitals reported a surge in severe cases, and sent out warnings to government officials that their beds were strained.
“We are now only accepting severe cases,” Andohotapenaka Hospital director Nasolotsiry Raveloson is quoted as telling AFP news agency.
On Monday the minister for health wrote an open letter to aid agencies asking for equipment like testing kits, respirators, and protective equipment for health workers.
This announcement sent jitters through African states; such as Tanzania who had purchased thousands of liters to take back to their citizens.
Guinea-Bissau has received more than 16,000 doses which it is distributing to the 14 other African nations.
Liberia’s Deputy Information Minister Eugene Farghon said this week there was no plan to test the remedy before distribution.
The leaders faulted other countries for not supporting African solutions to the Coronavirus crisis.
“Madagascar is an African country … Therefore we will proceed as an African nation and will continue to use our African herbs.” said Eugene Farghon.
