This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it was in discussions with Madagascar regarding the country's herbal drink Covid Organics, which is believed to cure coronavirus patients.
WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, stated that the organization is in touch with the government of Madagascar and has offered to support the design of a study to investigate the product's efficacy.
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina had previously criticized the WHO for not endorsing the Covid Organics, a herbal concoction that he claims can prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus.
Moeti emphasized that the WHO does not have any data related to the efficiency of the Covid Organics and that the organization's director-general will speak with Madagascar's president to discuss the matter further.
The WHO has been working in the traditional medicine sector and aims to facilitate collaboration and incorporate traditional medicine into national health systems.
Madagascar has shipped the Covid Organics to several African countries, and the Indian Ocean region has also criticized the WHO for not endorsing its COVID-19 herbal cure.
Moeti highlighted the urgent issue of undernourishment in Africa, stating that more than 200 million people are undernourished, making them vulnerable to infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
