Covid-19 cure
By Mthokozisi Dube.
In Africa, the western methods of treatment and medicine have had traditional competitors since time immemorial. The African methods started losing traction because of the introduction of tested medicine from the west. African medicine has for most times been passed through knowledge of herbal doctors who do not have any skill except an “alleged knowledge” on how certain herbs work. Whilst Western medicine goes through rigorous tests to prove effectiveness,
African traditional herbal medicine is only endorsed by the mere announcement that it works. This is the reason the alleged Madagascar Covid-19 cure has failed to gain traction on the continent and the world over.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina promoted the herbal tea as the Covid-19 cure. He asserted that it cured 2 people and alleviated symptoms in others. Madagascar has no deaths due to coronavirus. However, the assertions about the effectiveness of the drug have not been taken seriously without tried scientific proof. The world is in a vulnerable situation and the vaccine is being heavily fought. The world is ignoring the assertions of the Madagascar president due to lack of scientific proof on its effectiveness.
The coronavirus cure might be there in Madagascar but is being ignored. This brings into focus the need for the proper regulation of African traditional herbal medicines. Some herbal medicines derived from natural herbs are well known to be effective across the continent but lack scientific endorsements and clinical trials. The moment African traditional herbal medicine is properly regulated and tested Africa can effectively contribute to the medical developments in the world.
The Madagascar Covid-19 concoction was developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. The private organization has been researching the use of Madagascar’s traditional medicines for more than 30 years. However, Madagascar’s national medical academy (Anamem) has cast doubt on the efficacy of Covid-19 organics tea. The label on the concoction bottle does not list the ingredients but it is alleged to be made from Artemisia, a bitterroot that is used in some malaria drugs.
Empirical evidence and vigorous testing are of paramount importance before approving any type of medicine. It is not shocking that the world is not rushing to get the Madagascar Covid-19 organics tea. Without the requisite process being followed the tea will not gain global traction and we might be ignoring an effective cure, or the people of Madagascar are drinking something that can potentially harm them.
African traditional medication has been used successfully over the years dating back to pre-colonial Africa. It is prudent to subject it to the global standards of tests to ensure there are no side effects.
African traditional innovations are not shared globally because of the absence of proper regulation and failure to adhere to global standards to prove effectiveness. The failure to properly regulating African medicine holds the continent and the world back because such medication can cause huge medical breakthroughs.
The world is not ignoring the Madagascar Covid-19 organic tea because it is from Africa. However, the tea is not being noticed because there is no empirical evidence to instill public confidence to purchase it. Endorsing the herbal tea during the pandemic is dangerous for various reasons which include giving people a false sense of security and unknown adverse side effects. African innovation and contributions are important in the medical field. African nations should now task themselves to set up proper regulations and testing to ensure they can share their knowledge with the world.
The government of Madagascar should subject their Covid-19 organics tea to the required medical tests, if approved it could save the world from the ongoing pandemic.
Africa has a lot of medical contributions that just need to get through the global standards before approval. The African nations should up facilities to test traditional medicines and properly regulate them for global confidence and faith. Madagascar could have indeed found the Covid-19 cure but without going through the requisite tests the world will pay it no mind neither will they seek to procure it.
Source: The African Exponent