Madagascar Lifts Lockdown As President Drinks And Share ‘Miracle’ Coronavirus Cure

Unarmed Madagascar soldiers went door-to-door in the capital Antananarivo, doling out sachets of a local herbal tea touted by President Andry Rajoelina as a powerful remedy against the novel coronavirus.

Baptised Covid-Organics, the tonic is derived from artemisia, a plant with proven efficacy in treating malaria as well as other indigenous herbs.

It has been developed by the Madagascar Institute of Applied Research (IMRA) but has not been tested internationally.

“This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” Rajoelina announced at its official launch on Tuesday.

“We can change the history of the entire world,” he said, after downing a dose. “Two people have now been cured by this treatment.”

Mainstream scientists have warned of the potential risk from untested herbal brews.

There is currently no known cure for coronavirus, which has infected at least 121 people in Madagascar and more than 2.6 million worldwide. Yet military officials on the Indian Ocean island nation say the infusion would be better than nothing.

“It will strengthen immunity,” said military doctor Colonel Willy Ratovondrainy on state television, as troops launched a mass distribution campaign. In pairs, soldiers followed people through Antananarivo’s narrow alleyways into their homes.

“Good morning, we are here to distribute the Covid-Organics tea,” one of them said.

Jean-Louis Rakotonandrasana gratefully accepted the free packet of herbs.

“We are eager to try this infusion since we saw president Rajoelina drink it on television,” the 58-year-old said.

Most of Madagascar’s 26 million inhabitants live in grinding poverty with limited access to healthcare and regularly take herbal teas for a variety of common ailments.

“I think it’s great,” said Dominique Rabefarihy, clutching a sachet of Covid-Organics in the poor Ankazomanga neighbourhood.

“It reassures me that soldiers are watching out for my family’s health and security,” the housewife said.