Mbabane: Following the official launch of a medicine by Madagascar President Andry Rajaolina which he believes can prevent and cure patients suffering from COVID-19, His Majesty King Mswati III has come out clear and supported the use of herbal drinks in fight against the disease.
The King told journalists at Ludzidzini Royal Residence on Thursday in his first nation address ever since the first confirmed COVID-19 was announced in March. The King was responding to a question from the Eswatini Observer Managing Editor Mbongeni Mbingo, who wanted to know if the monarch would encourage the use of herbs just like Madagacar in a bid to prevent and cure the disease.
In response, the King said as COVID-19 is a novel disease, anything, could it be natural (herbs) can be used to treat the disease. He went on to say that when one is fighting a war, he use everything believed can assist in winning it. He encouraged researchers in the country to put their minds together in a move to come with a natural or herbal remedy for COVID-19.
Madagascar launched her herbal drink late last month which was developed the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research and branded COVID Organics. It contains Artemisia, a plant cultivated on the Big Island to fight against malaria.
“All trials and tests have been conducted and its effectiveness in reducing the elimination of symptoms has been proven for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in Madagascar,” the president said.
A presidential decree said COVID-organics is mandatory for children returning to school on Wednesday. President Rajaolina said it had cured two COVID-19 cases.
Rajoelina said on Monday his government was already collaborating with foreign doctors and researchers on the matter, looking at alternative research possibilities but still on the trail of the Artemisia plant — the main component of CVO.
But, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against any self-medication and said that it has not recommended any medicine as a cure for the COVID-19.
WHO said it supports scientifically-proven traditional medicine.
”WHO welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with countries and researchers to develop new therapies and encourages such collaboration for the development of effective and safe therapies for Africa and the world,” it said in a statement.
Discussion about this post