Nigerian doctors refute claim on coronavirus made by US-based physician

A guild consisting of medical doctors of private hospitals has said that the claim by US-based physician, Stella Emmanuel, that hydroxylcholoroquine cures COVID-19 is unproven.

A video that went viral yesterday showed a group of doctors addressing newsmen in Washington.

Emmanuel who was one of them revealed that she has cured over 350 COVID-19 patients using antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine and zinc.

“We’ve not lost one patient. And on top of that, I’ve put myself, my staff, and many doctors that I know on hydroxychloroquine for prevention because by the very mechanism of action, it works early and as a prophylaxis", he said.

Issuing a statement concerning her claim, the guild stated that her words should be taken with a pinch of salt until all studies on hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 are concluded.

“There is no scientific evidence to prove the claim, adding that, her saying the said drugs are certified for treating COVID-19 “is her own personal, unsubstantiated claim.”

“The important point of course, is to note that medical research has subjected HCQ to intense research. While some studies suggest that it is effective, others have come to the opposite conclusion. It is also true that Senegal, where HCQ is routinely used, has one of the lowest COVID-19 case fatality rates in the world at 0.64% compared to 3.4% in the USA.

“As we speak, a study is underway in LUTH on its efficacy and safety. Subsequently, a meta-analysis of all these studies should be undertaken to pool all the results and come up with a summative analysis which will guide clinicians.

“Until then, all anecdotal claims such as the one from Dr Stella Immanuel must be taken with a pinch of salt. It should also be noted that HCQ may be a cause of serious complications and even death in some people,” the guild’s statement read.