From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been at the forefront of global health guidance, with its recommendations closely examined worldwide. Its authority in managing public health crises is unquestioned. Recently, WHO's African regional office highlighted traditional medicines as a promising research avenue against the virus.
This week marked the tragic milestone of one million COVID-19 deaths globally, a stark reminder of the urgent need to halt this devastation.
Vaccines represent the primary hope, with notable progress in countries like Russia, though widespread deployment remains elusive. Labs worldwide compete fiercely to deliver safe, effective shots, anticipated with both eagerness and caution.
Amid calls for quick fixes like chloroquine, no single cure has emerged. In response, WHO is exploring alternative approaches, including natural remedies.
In Africa, every potential solution is under consideration to address the crisis:
“Our governments committed in 2000 to treat traditional remedies like other medicines by subjecting them to rigorous tests,” stated Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in May.
A panel of traditional medicine experts from the Africa CDC and African Union supports WHO efforts. Their focus: investigating natural medicines, as outlined by platforms like Doctonate. This validates clinical research on these remedies, particularly for COVID-19.
These experts have even "approved a Phase 3 phytotherapy clinical trial protocol for COVID-19,” per WHO—signaling comprehensive studies not limited to this pandemic but extending to other diseases.
Though less impacted than other regions, Africa faced over one million infections by August. Disparities persist, with five countries accounting for more than 70% of cases.
South Africa bore nearly half, followed by Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and Ethiopia. Nations like Zimbabwe struggled with testing shortages.
Contrary to dire predictions, the toll was lower than feared. WHO attributes this to Africa's young population, relative isolation, and swift implementation of health protocols and restrictions in March 2020.
