Our COVID-19 remedy scorned because it’s from Africa – Madagascar President

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina has said that his country's homegrown drug which is claimed to cure COVID-19 is being criticized by the west because it was made by an African country.

Rajoelina who spoke to French Media on Monday also lamented the condescending approach the west shows towards African traditional medicine.

“If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,” he said.

The president stated this just days after the World Health Organization, WHO, warned that the COVID-19 drug, which Madagascar made from Artemisia which has anti-malarial properties, has not been clinically tested.

Rajoelina continued: “African scientists… should not be underestimated.

“I think the problem is that (the drink) comes from Africa and they can’t admit… that a country like Madagascar… has come up with this formula to save the world,” said Rajoelina.

The drug which was launched last month has already been delivered to Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania. Nigeria is said to be awaiting its own delivery.

“No country or organisation will keep us from going forward,” Rajoelina said in response to the WHO’s concerns.

He said proof of the tonic’s efficacy was in “the healing of our sick”.

Madagascar has not recorded any COVID-19 death despite having 183 confirmed cases and 105 recoveries.

“The patients who were cured were cured through the administration of Covid-Organics alone,” the president said.