COVID-19 cure: 33 herbal medicines submitted for testing
- The Ministry of Health has submitted 33 herbal medicines for testing
- They are products from the Ghana Federation of Traditional Healers
- The drugs are being tested to verify if they have antiviral properties to help fight the COVID-19
Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
The Ministry of Health, in a bid to find a cure for the deadly coronavirus disease taking the lives of people, has submitted 33 herbal medicines for testing.
These herbal medicines according to a report filed by theghanareport are products from the Ghana Federation of Traditional Healers.
The Deputy Director at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Dr Alfred Ampomah Appiah, revealed that in addition to the 33 samples received from the health ministry, it has continued to receive more herbal medicines for testing.
READ ALSO: COVID-19 fund: NHIS donation is a misplaced priority – Health-based NGOs
Dr Appiah explained that the centre was testing the drugs to verify if they had antiviral properties to help fight the COVID-19.
“What is being done globally is to test certain medicines that have already been selected to have certain antiviral properties and the prospects of those drugs are being monitored to test its effectiveness to the novel virus,” he added.
There were earlier claims that COA FS, a locally produced dietary supplement could cure COVID-19.
But authorities at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) observed that it had neither been independently tested nor verified COA FS as a treatment for COVID-19.
READ ALSO: Manufacturers of COA FS rejects FDA’s findings and says its products tested negative to E-Coli and yeast
In other news, a laboratory test conducted on COA FS drug by the Cape Coast Teaching hospital has confirmed that the product does not contain E-Coli and is not yeast or mould contaminated as claimed by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority.
It will be recalled that a press release dated April 17, 2020, and signed by Mrs Delese A.A Darko, the Chief executive officer of the FDA, indicated that COA FS drug contained E-Coli that makes individuals prone to kidney failure.
Among other claims, it was said that the supplement made people with weak immune systems get critically sick upon taking COA FS.
READ ALSO: Fact Check: Madagascar President's COVID-19 'remedy' not proven
Reasons why Ghana's lockdown has been lifted | #Yencomgh
Have national and human interest issues to discuss?
Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
