Madagascar's COVID-19 remedy herb land in Niger Rep.

Madagascar's coronavirus remedy syrup "COVID-Organics" has landed in Niger Republic on Tuesday, according to reports.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina as earlier reported by MyNigeria.com has touted the drink as a powerful remedy against the novel coronavirus.

COVID-Organicsis a herbal tea derived from artemisia — a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment – and other indigenous herbs.

Niger's move comes after the World Health Organisation warned against the use of untested COVID-19 remedies.

“Ismagail Annar, the chief of staff in the health ministry, received a batch of the products offered by Madagascar for free,” Souley Zaberou, a health ministry official told AFP.

The consignment contains sachets to “treat 900 people: 300 for those already sick and for 600 others as a preventive measure,” Zaberou said.

Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have already taken delivery of the infusion.

There have been 755 cases of the new coronavirus in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, and 37 deaths, according to the latest figures. The dead include Labour Minister Mohamed Ben Omar.

Niger has imposed a health emergency, closed its borders, places of worship and schools and isolated the capital Niamey from the rest of the country.

Punch/AFP