Coronavirus: We will only use herbal drugs if proven effective - Okoe-Boye

The Deputy Minister-designate for Health Dr. Okoe-Boye says the government will give support to the use of herbal medicines to treat coronavirus should they be approved by the appropriate authorities.

The legislator who is being vetted today [Tuesday] told the committee “Most of the time, the issue has been the science of the herbal medicine,”

He was responding to a question on the matter.

According to him, science will be the determining factor in whether herbal medicine is used to treat the novel coronavirus.

“Fortunately, or unfortunately, scientists want to stick to evidence and once your concoction is proven to be safe for use in human beings and also has efficacy, the appropriate bodies will grant the approval.”

Mr. Mahama made the call on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when he announced the donation of food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.

“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.