Just recently, the federal government released a statement that acknowledged that the US drug, Remdesivir, is being used to treat COVID-19 patients in Nigeria. Even more recently, another herbal drug has been approved for testing by the NAFDAC – COVID Organics (COV) after being reported to be effective in Madagascar where it was originally manufactured. While there is nothing wrong in trying out both options as it is a matter of life and with the urgency that is demanded, the best is needed.

In a recent trend on the emergence of a new herbal drug from Madagascar, Nigerians have expressed a mixture of trust, disappointment, and hope as the world is battling the global pandemic.

Each time I see the hashtag #MadagascarCure it gives me hope, even if my country is yet to join the bandwagon. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zKcDttfAo4

— DatMaccobaGuy ?? (@ibisogeorge) May 11, 2020

#MadagascarCure on Twitter is sending a wave of unity across Africa as many Twitter users have expressed what this means for the continent in the long run. Madagascar’s COVID Organics (COV) is, however, not yet approved by the federal government as a drug that will put a halt on the rising coronavirus cases in Nigeria, as the NAFDAC is yet to give a green light on its application on COVID-19 patients.

Earlier it was the US drug, Remdesivir, that was announced as the drug given to patients with Coronavirus and while there wasn’t that much buzz about it, this one which has seeped from Africa is creating a buzz not just in Nigeria but across the continent. South Africa has also commissioned its health system to work on trials for the Madagascan drug.

#MadagascarCure: Madagascar has officially sent her alleged Covid-19 herbal cure to Nigeria. We are praying it works perfectly. We need to defeat this virus ? ASAP.

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) May 11, 2020

Made purely from herbs and roots, the drug has been reported to show reasonable improvements on patients and it is with this hope that Nigerians are rejoicing.

Africa should believe in herself instead of waiting for approval from foreign organization to provide a cure for #COVID19.
Now Nigeria have gotten its herbal drug "COVID Organics" from Madagascar & begin trials after pressure from social media & health sectors.#MadagascarCure pic.twitter.com/1hxlbbKGCN

— Tj Dread (@dreadnst9n) May 11, 2020

Some social media users are of the opinion that at this point, the Nigerian government needs to invest in herbal doctors and traditional healers who have a huge deal on herbal use. Some Nigerians also are of the opinion that Nigeria should harness its title as ‘Giant of Africa’ to come up with a unified health organisation for Africa and by Africans. The emergence of COVID Organics (COV) may just be the way out from this global pandemic not just across Africa but globally.

If I'm being completely honest, I take that #MadagascarCure before taking anything the WHO and Bill Gates are offering…. pic.twitter.com/7Y0hs1yrrP

— Lelo (@lelo_bosschick) May 3, 2020

A look at the earlier option for treating the COVID-19, Remdesivir, has been approved by so many countries and while there isn’t much said about the new Madagascar herbal drug, it sure has raised the hope of Nigerians and other African nation and even globally.