Tobias Sylvester
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire said the analysis of COVID Organics shows that it largely contains anti-malaria components.
KanyiDaily recalls that a few months ago, Madagascar launched a local herbal cure called ‘Covid-Organics’ or ‘CVO’, claiming it prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.
The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina said the herbal drink is effective against the coronavirus as it strengthens the body’s immune system, adding several people have been cured with the treatment.
On May 16, 2020, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari received some of the herbal remedy from the Madagascar government, but said he will await research outcomes before allowing any new medicine be administered on Nigerians.
During the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday, July 2, 2020, Mr Ehanire said findings from the analysis of Madagascar’s COVID Organics shows its mainly anti-malaria, adding that a variety of the herb grows in Nigeria.
“Preliminary results of the analysis of the so-called Madagascar herbs by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) show that it is the same as the plant Artemisia anua, which is grown in the NIPRD farm. Further research on its efficacy will be conducted when the grants for research is approved.
“The so-called Madagascar herb is one component of the malaria treatment medicine. Some years ago, the government actually imported this plant and has a plantation of it in trying to develop its own production of the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). The plantation is still there but the process has not gone that much further.
“We are looking into seeing what has held it up but the plant is here; it was intended for producing anti-malaria, and the type we have here has a very high yield of artemisinin – which is actually the active ingredient,” he said.
The minister, however, said relevant government agencies will continue the process of evaluation to determine its effectiveness in treating COVID-19.
KanyiDaily recalls that Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi had blasted Nigerians for downplaying his suggestions on the potency of herbal medicine to cure coronavirus.
The monarch who had appealed to Nigeria to use natural methods on coronavirus, was reacting to Madagascar’s breakthrough in finding a herbal cure for the virus.
