Zimbabwe clinically assessing a COVID-19 remedy
The Government of Zimbabwe is clinically assessing an anti-parasite drug Ivermectin. This is being done to establish its effectiveness in fighting the COVID-19 virus. The second and stronger wave of COVID-19 affecting Zimbabwe is highly contagious and this has resulted in rapid increase of new infections and deaths surpassing the 1000 mark.
The Acting Health secretary Mr. Robert Mudyiradima revealed the news on Monday. During the meeting he said,
“Its widespread use is limited until clinical trials that are underway to prove its efficacy in treating COVID-19 patients are proven. The therapeutics for the virus treatment such as Zumbani, steaming and Ivermectin are still being studied for their potency in the treatment of COVID-19.”
This comes after a prominent practitioner, Jackie Stone prescribed Ivermectin, Doxycycline and Nano Silver as COVID-19 therapy for patients with the second and first wave SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 respectively. Other medical practitioners do not agree with Stone. The Medical and Dental Professional Council of Zimbabwe also does not agree with Stone to the extent of demanding her fitness to practice to go under review. In Jackie Stone’s defense the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe wrote to the Health Minister Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga seeking authorization to check Ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Zimbabwe clinically assessing a COVID-19 remedy
Ivermectin is on the WHO list of essential medicines. It has also won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for its beneficial impact on humanity. This means the medicine has a very impressive safety profile and most of the side-effects are a result of the body eliminating the parasites already killed by it.
Zimbabwean doctors working at the fore front fighting the virus also wrote to the Ministry of Health seeking permission to use Ivermectin and Nano Silver to treat COVID-19. Jackie Stones promises to send the testimonials to prove the efficacy of the vaccine.
The United Kingdom has approved the use of this vaccine. In South Africa a group of doctors are also currently looking at Ivermectin and thoroughly checking if it can treat COVID-19.