Exclusive: Madagascar's president defends controversial homegrown Covid-19 cure.
Issued on: 12/05/2020 - 19:01
Modified: 12/05/2020 - 19:01
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and RFI, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina defended his promotion of a controversial homegrown remedy for Covid-19 despite an absence of clinical trials. "It works really well," he said of the herbal drink Covid-Organics. Rajoelina claimed that if a European country had discovered the remedy, people would not be so sceptical.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics drink, which Madagascar's Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested.
"What if this remedy had been discovered by a European country, instead of Madagascar? Would people doubt it so much? I don't think so," the president told FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman and RFI's Christophe Boisbouvier.
The drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti-malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs.
"What is the problem with Covid-Organics, really? Could it be that this product comes from Africa? Could it be that it's not OK for a country like Madagascar, which is the 63rd poorest country in the world... to have come up with (this formula) that can help save the world?" asked Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within ten days.
Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have already taken delivery of consignments of Covid-Organics, which was launched last month.
"No one will stop us from moving forward – not a country, not an organisation," Rajoelina said in response to the WHO's concerns.
He said the proof of the tonic's efficacy was in the "healing" of "our patients", calling it a "preventive and curative remedy".
Rajoelina said Madagascar has reported 171 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries to date, with no deaths.
"The patients who have healed have taken no other product than Covid-Organics," the president added.
Reminding viewers that Madagascar has a long history of traditional medicine, Rajoelina pointed out that many pharmaceutical drugs authorised in the West have turned out to be harmful, such as the Mediator weight loss drug in France.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Click here to listen to this exclusive interview.
Premiered on 11 May 2020
For the first time since he announced the discovery of Covid-Organics, a remedy for Covid-19, the President of Madagascar is giving an interview. At the microphone of Christophe Boisbouvier and Marc Perelman, he responds to criticism from the WHO and announces clinical trials. He also spoke on the quarrel with France over the Scattered Islands.
The Covid-Organics was developed by the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research (IMRA). A dozen countries in Africa have received donations of this decoction from Madagascar. A decoction made from Artemisia, a plant used to fight against malaria.
INTERVIEW.
--- Christophe Boisbouvier: Mr. Chairman, good morning.
Andry Rajoelina: Hello, it's a pleasure to be your guest especially during this period of war against the coronavirus.
Marc Perelman: We are going to talk about what you call this “war” against the Covid-19. In addition to confinement, wearing a mask, distancing, Madagascar is distinguished by the use of Covid-Organics, a remedy based on artemisia, a plant with a recognized therapeutic effect against malaria. You've already sent it to several African countries, but do you have any evidence that it works at home, that it heals people from Covid-19?
A.R.: In fact, indeed, we launched this remedy based on Madagascan medicinal plants. It should be noted that in Madagascar, we are used to it and 80% of the population is treated through the medicinal remedy. That said, Covid-Organics is obviously a preventive and curative remedy against Covid-19 which works very well. Moreover, it is the fruit of research carried out by the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research [Imra], which has the status of a regional research center recognized by the African Union. I just want to clarify that Imra is a center for medical and pharmaceutical research and training, founded in 1957 by Professor Rakoto Ratsimamanga who is an eminent figure in African science. You talk about "evidence" and I talked about war earlier. The world situation today shows that there are almost 300,000 dead. Does this allow us to ignore a possibility of treatment? And when we are also in a war, what is the evidence that we can demonstrate and that we can provide now? It is obviously the healing of our patients, because it should be noted that today, in Madagascar, there have been 171 cases, including 105 cured. And most of these coronavirus patients have been cured and you are talking to me about the evidence. As proof, I want to tell you that the patients who were cured took only this Covid-Organics product [also called Tambavy CVO]. In summary, a marked improvement in the health of patients who received this Tambavy CVO remedy was observed in just 24 hours after the first use of Tambavy CVO. Healing was noted after 7 days or even 10 days after taking Tambavy CVO. This remedy is natural, non-toxic and non-invasive.
C.B.: Just not everyone is convinced by the evidence you are talking about. And it's not just anyone. The African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and especially the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa office of WHO, have multiplied the warnings the latter days against the illusion of a miracle cure. Not only does WHO doubt the effectiveness of Covid-Organics, but it fears side effects for people who consume this herbal tea ...
A. R.: You obviously quote from me the warning from Doctor [Matshidiso] Moeti, who warns against the use of Covid-Organics. I would just like to ask the question: had the Mediator [anti-diabetic medicine responsible for the death of patients in France] received and obtained authorizations? And what I'm asking as a question today: How many people have died from the Mediator medication? You know like everyone else the statement of Professor Bernard Debré and that of Philippe Even. They presented almost more than 58 drugs manufactured by prestigious laboratories which not only do not treat, but on their own terms, are "dangerous" and "fatal". These medicines have been and are distributed in Africa and I have never heard Dr Moeti or the WHO make a statement which does not authorize the taking of these medicines. Now, as I said earlier, we use decoction. When we talk about decoction, it is a method, it is the action of boiling medicinal plants in water for the extraction of active ingredients. This is our traditional medicine ...
Watch the interview in French, CLICK HERE
Updates. 17/05/2020
Issued on: 12/05/2020 - 19:01
Modified: 12/05/2020 - 19:01
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and RFI, Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina defended his promotion of a controversial homegrown remedy for Covid-19 despite an absence of clinical trials. "It works really well," he said of the herbal drink Covid-Organics. Rajoelina claimed that if a European country had discovered the remedy, people would not be so sceptical.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics drink, which Madagascar's Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested.
"What if this remedy had been discovered by a European country, instead of Madagascar? Would people doubt it so much? I don't think so," the president told FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman and RFI's Christophe Boisbouvier.
The drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti-malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs.
"What is the problem with Covid-Organics, really? Could it be that this product comes from Africa? Could it be that it's not OK for a country like Madagascar, which is the 63rd poorest country in the world... to have come up with (this formula) that can help save the world?" asked Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within ten days.
Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have already taken delivery of consignments of Covid-Organics, which was launched last month.
"No one will stop us from moving forward – not a country, not an organisation," Rajoelina said in response to the WHO's concerns.
He said the proof of the tonic's efficacy was in the "healing" of "our patients", calling it a "preventive and curative remedy".
Rajoelina said Madagascar has reported 171 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries to date, with no deaths.
"The patients who have healed have taken no other product than Covid-Organics," the president added.
Reminding viewers that Madagascar has a long history of traditional medicine, Rajoelina pointed out that many pharmaceutical drugs authorised in the West have turned out to be harmful, such as the Mediator weight loss drug in France.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Click here to listen to this exclusive interview.
Premiered on 11 May 2020
For the first time since he announced the discovery of Covid-Organics, a remedy for Covid-19, the President of Madagascar is giving an interview. At the microphone of Christophe Boisbouvier and Marc Perelman, he responds to criticism from the WHO and announces clinical trials. He also spoke on the quarrel with France over the Scattered Islands.
The Covid-Organics was developed by the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research (IMRA). A dozen countries in Africa have received donations of this decoction from Madagascar. A decoction made from Artemisia, a plant used to fight against malaria.
INTERVIEW.
--- Christophe Boisbouvier: Mr. Chairman, good morning.
Andry Rajoelina: Hello, it's a pleasure to be your guest especially during this period of war against the coronavirus.
Marc Perelman: We are going to talk about what you call this “war” against the Covid-19. In addition to confinement, wearing a mask, distancing, Madagascar is distinguished by the use of Covid-Organics, a remedy based on artemisia, a plant with a recognized therapeutic effect against malaria. You've already sent it to several African countries, but do you have any evidence that it works at home, that it heals people from Covid-19?
A.R.: In fact, indeed, we launched this remedy based on Madagascan medicinal plants. It should be noted that in Madagascar, we are used to it and 80% of the population is treated through the medicinal remedy. That said, Covid-Organics is obviously a preventive and curative remedy against Covid-19 which works very well. Moreover, it is the fruit of research carried out by the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research [Imra], which has the status of a regional research center recognized by the African Union. I just want to clarify that Imra is a center for medical and pharmaceutical research and training, founded in 1957 by Professor Rakoto Ratsimamanga who is an eminent figure in African science. You talk about "evidence" and I talked about war earlier. The world situation today shows that there are almost 300,000 dead. Does this allow us to ignore a possibility of treatment? And when we are also in a war, what is the evidence that we can demonstrate and that we can provide now? It is obviously the healing of our patients, because it should be noted that today, in Madagascar, there have been 171 cases, including 105 cured. And most of these coronavirus patients have been cured and you are talking to me about the evidence. As proof, I want to tell you that the patients who were cured took only this Covid-Organics product [also called Tambavy CVO]. In summary, a marked improvement in the health of patients who received this Tambavy CVO remedy was observed in just 24 hours after the first use of Tambavy CVO. Healing was noted after 7 days or even 10 days after taking Tambavy CVO. This remedy is natural, non-toxic and non-invasive.
C.B.: Just not everyone is convinced by the evidence you are talking about. And it's not just anyone. The African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and especially the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa office of WHO, have multiplied the warnings the latter days against the illusion of a miracle cure. Not only does WHO doubt the effectiveness of Covid-Organics, but it fears side effects for people who consume this herbal tea ...
A. R.: You obviously quote from me the warning from Doctor [Matshidiso] Moeti, who warns against the use of Covid-Organics. I would just like to ask the question: had the Mediator [anti-diabetic medicine responsible for the death of patients in France] received and obtained authorizations? And what I'm asking as a question today: How many people have died from the Mediator medication? You know like everyone else the statement of Professor Bernard Debré and that of Philippe Even. They presented almost more than 58 drugs manufactured by prestigious laboratories which not only do not treat, but on their own terms, are "dangerous" and "fatal". These medicines have been and are distributed in Africa and I have never heard Dr Moeti or the WHO make a statement which does not authorize the taking of these medicines. Now, as I said earlier, we use decoction. When we talk about decoction, it is a method, it is the action of boiling medicinal plants in water for the extraction of active ingredients. This is our traditional medicine ...
Watch the interview in French, CLICK HERE
Updates. 17/05/2020
Madagascar reports its first Covid-19 death.
Issued on: Modified:
Madagascar on Sunday announced the first death of a patient suffering from the novel coronavirus, nearly two months after it was first detected in the country.
The 57-year-old hospital worker died on Saturday and had underlying diabetes and high blood pressure before he was infected, an official from the anti-coronavirus task team said.
"It is with great sadness that we have to share with all our compatriots, that there is an individual, aged 57, who died from Covid-19," professor Hanta Vololontiana said on public television.
He was a car park attendant at a hospital in the eastern city of Toamasina.
The Indian Ocean island which has reported 304 cases has hit the headlines over a home-grown herbal concoction that President Andry Rajoelina claims can cure people infected with the virus.
Several African countries have ordered or expressed interest in the purported remedy, which is known as Covid-Organics.
The tonic drink is derived from artemisia — a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment — and other indigenous herbs.
But the World Health Organization has warned against "adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy".
(AFP)
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