In the recent weeks, the talk of a possible COVID-19 cure, a herbal remedy consumed in the form of tea from Madagascar known as COVID Organics (CVO) has been at the centre of discussion in Africa.
Countries like our neighbours Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Senegal among others have embraced it, importing it to treat their COVID-19 patients.
Although CVO was officially launched by the President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina towards the end of last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly warned against its use, saying that it has to first go under rigorous clinical tests to ascertain its effectiveness in treating and curing the deadly disease.
In Uganda, the Ministry of Health is siding with WHO, and will not import the medicine from Madagascar, until it is approved by the UN health body, according to the Ministry’s Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyona.
“We are not considering using it until it is approved by the World Health Organisation,” Ainebyona said.
Of the 126 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Uganda, 55 have recovered and have since been discharged. The Ministry said they were treated with Hydroxychloroquine among other remedies.
The country has not registered any COVID-19 deaths, and the same is true for Madagascar, which has relied on her CVO herbal tea to treat her patients.