THE Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association
(Zinatha) has sensationally claimed that it has herbs that can treat
coronavirus (Covid-19) , calling on the government to include its members in
rapid response teams.
This comes amid reports that a concoction known as Covid
Organics (CVO), a form of herbal tea, is curing Covid-19 patients in
Madagascar.
Zinatha secretary for education Prince Sibanda told the
Daily News that Madagascar’s herbal tea is evidence that there is need to
develop indigenous knowledge of medicine rather than rely on Western ideas all
the time.
“In Zimbabwe we do have herbs such as Murumanyama or
Muremberembe (Shona) and isihaqa (Ndebele) that can be effective in treating
coronavirus.
“We are rich with over 5 000 herbs in Zimbabwe. The World
Health Organisation (WHO) has proved that 80 percent of Africa relies on herbal
medicine. Why not promote the 80 percent rather than wait for the West to have
a say?” Sibanda asked.
He said traditional medicine needs support to develop as it
is being sidelined in the country.
“Let’s integrate the two systems of health delivery so that
we are safe rather than concentrate on one side. Zinatha should be incorporated
into rapid response and research teams to have an impact in containing this
coronavirus pandemic.
“We have to work together in a strong, effective, united
and coordinated response. To this end, our efforts to accelerate the response
to the Covid-19 pandemic and prevent its re-emergence needs the use of
indigenous medicines that have been in existence for a long time,” he added.
Meanwhile, WHO has
dismissed Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina’s claims that the herbal tea
produced in his country can cure patients of Covid-19.
In a recent statement, the international health body warned
against any self-medication and said it has not yet recommended any medicine as
a cure for Covid-19.
Despite WHO’s
warning, scores of people have reportedly embraced the herbal tea in Madagascar
and some African countries such as Tanzania, Guinea Bissau and the
Democratic Republic of Congo have shown interest in the concoction. Daily News
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