Buhari orders PTF to get Madagascar’s COVID-19 herbal drug

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday directed the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to go for Madagascar’s herbal drug, “COVID-Organics,” for the possible treatment of COVID-19 patients in the country.

Some reports claim the drug has been used in the treatment of 55 COVID-19 patients in the Indian Ocean Island nation.

The Chairman of the Task Force, Boss Mustapha who disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja, said the Madagascan government donated some of the products to Nigeria through Guinea-Bissau.

Mustapha said arrangements were ongoing to bring the drug down to Nigeria.

He said: “The president of Madagascar sent it to Guinea Bissau. Certain allocations have been made to different countries.

“We have an indication of the quantities that have been allocated to Nigeria, and we are supposed to make arrangements to freight it out of Bissau to Nigeria.

“I have received instructions from Mr. President to make arrangements to freight it home.”

Minister Ehanire also says “We are going to get samples of the herb of the botanical product for analyses and also probably use that opportunity to speak with the health authorities there particularly the scientific community on how they use it. We will also give it to the research community here with us to examine and see what they can do with it. We understand that it is something called Artemisia Annua, which also grows here. But we would like to get that sample and compare it with the strain here to know if they are exactly identical or similar and then see what properties it has. “It will be subjected to analysis to find out what works in there and how it works and is used in getting a cure. All countries around the world are interested in finding a cure and we are not different; So we’ll look at all options and promises that have been made. “Before we give any of these medicines to our people we will make sure they are actually safe and that they work.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the presidential task force on COVID-19 to pick up Madagascar’s self-proclaimed, plant-based “remedy” for coronavirus. Processes are ongoing to harness herbal medicine for Covid-19 cure. Madagascar had donated some of the products to Nigeria through Guinea-Bissau and arrangements were being made to pick them up. The president directed that the products be subjected to the validation process after they have been picked up.

In a related development, the Catholic Church in Nigeria through the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has offered its 425 hospitals and clinics nationwide for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This was disclosed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during the daily Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 media briefing on Monday, May 11.