Coronavirus: few days after Nigeria received ‘brotherly love herbs gift’, Madagascar records first death

Barely few days after Nigeria received its share of what Malagsasy government called a ‘brotherly love’ to all African countries in the provisions of herbal drugs as remedy for coronavirus, Madagascar has registered its first coronavirus death.

Penpushing reports that, the taskforce spokeswoman, Hanta Vololontiana, was quoted to have made this known in a televised statement, disclosing  that the patient died on Saturday night, just as record has it that, the death is coming two months after its index case.

The taskforce spokeswoman said, “a man died from coronavirus in Madagascar … he is 57 years old and a member of the medical staff,”, while it is also record that the first casualty of the Island on the east coast of Africa was said to be a 57-year-old medical worker who suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Penpushing further reports that President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar had been in the news since April following declaration by his country on discovery of indigenous herbal remedy named Covid-Organics, which the authorities said could “cure” coronavirus.

The Malagasy Institute of Applied Research, developed the beverage and  was produced from artemisia, a plant with proven antidote against malaria, while the President boasted that, “all trials and tests have been conducted, and its effectiveness in reducing the elimination of symptoms have been proven for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in Madagascar.”

Penpushing also reports that, Tanzania, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, have since either placed orders for, or have received consignments of, the medication, while Nigeria government this week received its share.

The herbal solution has since been sent to Nigeria’s Food and Drug Agency (NAFDAC) for certification for clinical tests, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) on its part called for caution in the use of the touted coronavirus cure as its efficacy and side effects have not been specifically proven.

Meanwhile, as at Sunday afternoon, Madagascar,has 283 confirmed cases, 114 of whom have been discharged, according to Worldometer.