Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to accept the consignment of a herbal tea touted as a cure for the coronavirus disease from the government of Madagascar.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina launched the herbal tea, named COVID-Organics, last month, claiming that it has cured coronavirus patients. The herbal tea produced by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), was created from the Artemisia plant which are used in malaria drugs.
Even though Madagascar’s national medical academy has warned that no scientific evidence has been established that COVID-Organics works, the government has started handing out the herbal tea for free to citizens.
Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said Nigeria hopes to be able to get a sample of the herb for analysis, as well as speak to health authorities in Madagascar, before it can be considered for deployment in the country.
He also stated that the COVID-Organics will not be given to Nigerians as medicine until it has been confirmed to be safe for consumption, and works for the purpose that has been claimed. The herbal tea has not undergone any scientific testing recognised internationally and has raised concerns from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Nigeria has recorded 4,399 coronavirus cases in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as of May 10. 778 people have recovered and143 have died.
