It’s time to try traditional medicine in coronavirus fight – Mahama
Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has called for the adoption of traditional medicine in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ghana.
“It is time to explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the coronavirus.
“Some traditional medicines are known to boost the immune system and can help both in the prevention of people succumbing to the disease and also play a role a palliative function in the management of persons suffering from COVID-19,” he said.
The 2020 flag-bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), made the call on Tuesday when he announced the donation of food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.
Scientists all over the world are on a mission to produce vaccines or cures for COVID-19.
This means currently, there is no known cure or vaccine for the virus, which has so far infected over two million people and killed over 120,000 others.
Despite the absence of a vaccine or cure, health professionals recommend frequent hand washing and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers as part of measures to avoid contracting the virus.
Health professionals have also advised against the touching of face and handshaking during the period of the pandemic.
In Ghana, there are claims that a locally produced dietary supplement, COA FS, could cure COVID-19.
But authorities at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) says it has neither been independently tested nor verified COA FS as a treatment for COVID-19.
COVID-19 cases in Ghana
Seventy new coronavirus cases have been recorded, bringing Ghana’s total count to 636 from an initial 566.
According to the Ghana Health Service, a total of 44,421 persons have so far been tested.
The breakdown of the 636 positive cases are as follows: seventeen (17) have been treated, reverted to negative on repeat tests and discharged; 605 cases have been categorised as mild disease and are on treatment; two (2) are categorised as moderate-to-severe cases; none in the critical state currently, and eight (8) have died.
Of the 636 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 268 were reported from the routine surveillance, 253 from enhanced surveillance activities and 115 from travellers under mandatory quarantine in both Accra and Tamale.
10 out of 16 regions in the country have so far recorded confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The hardest-hit region in Ghana is the Greater Accra Region with a total of 509 cases. Other infected Regions include Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Western, Volta, Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.