The president of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has officially launched a local herbal remedy claimed to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.
“Tests have been carried out — two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and journalists at the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), which developed the beverage.
Downing a dose, he said: “I will be the first to drink this today, in front of you, to show you that this product cures and does not kill.”
The drink, which has been called Covid-Organics, is derived from artemisia — a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment — and other indigenous herbs, according to the IMRA.