Why CBN Supported Reddington to Set-Up Duchess Hospital - Emefiele

By Dansu Peter 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, owned by the Reddington Hospital Group which successfully carried out leg surgery on Vice President Osinbajo recently is an exemplary model of Federal Government intervention through the CBN, in providing world class health facility in Nigeria to discourage medical tourism abroad by Nigerians.

Mr Emefiele made this statement at the press briefing following the recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in Lagos. While responding to questions from the media regarding CBN intervention funds in healthcare, the CBN Governor used the Reddington Hospital and Duchess International Hospital as examples of where the Central Bank of Nigeria has supported Nigerian healthcare institutions in building local capacity towards the reversal of medical tourism which costs Nigeria billions of dollars annually.

Emefiele  thanked  the Vice President for choosing to have his surgery done locally  in Nigeria, setting an exemplary example, and for the confidence he reposed in our healthcare system.

Reacting to the CBN Governor's statement, the Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital, Dr Olutunde Lalude, explained that the Reddington Healthcare Group established the Duchess International Hospital Ikeja as a unique brand to promote access to affordable world-class healthcare for all Nigerians with its strategic location just 10 minutes drive  from the Lagos airport and less than 90 minutes by air from Abuja and all state capitals in Nigeria.

In demonstrating affordability, Dr. Lalude  emphasized that it  cost  N5000 for a patient to register and see a Doctor at the new Duchess International Hospital. This has been made possible due to the impact of the CBN intervention fund in establishing the hospital.

Lalude  thanked the CBN Governor and Access Bank Plc for all their support in building our local capacity and transforming our healthcare institutions.

We don't secretly treat Covid-19 patients, Cedarcrest Hospitals debunks fake news report

By Dansu Peter 

Contrary to misconceptions on social media, the management of Abuja-based international-standard hospital, Cedarcrest has denied routinely admitting COVID-19 patients, saying it has no such plans at the moment. 

In a letter dated May 31 and signed by its Director, Clinical Services, Dr Umelo Ferdinand, the hospital assured that its staff are alert and vigilant about any suspected symptoms from potential clients. 

A modern specialist medical care centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Cedarcrest is famously credited by First Lady, Aisha Buhari for saving her son, Yusuf after a ghastly motorbike accident in 2018. 

Recently, though, the hospital was accused of secretly attending to a high-profile Nigerian who had tested positive for the coronavirus. 

However, Dr Ferdinand, on behalf of the facility said “ we do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms”. 

According to the Director Clinical Services, separate facilities and resources were created for any suspected cases.

The medical practitioner further revealed that on no occasion has the hospital asked patients or visitors to self-isolate.  

He further assured the general public that Cedarcrest remains very safe for all patients.

Read full statement below:

Our attention has been drawn to some mis of information in some social media posts relating to the treatment of a Covid-19 patient in our hospital. 

While we are unable to discuss the management of any particular patient in the public space, we, however, feel we owe the public a duty to clear a few things in general. 

The Covid-19 pandemic remains a risk in every hospital and Cedarcrest has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that our staff and patients are adequately protected at all times.

We do not routinely receive COVID-19 cases for treatment and presently have no intention to do so. In line with the best infection prevention and control practices, we have ensured that our staff have access to and utilise a robust supply of PPEs. 

In addition, there are separate facilities and resources created for any suspected cases and have duly had these certified. We do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms. 

We feel proud to say that we have created a very safe environment for staff to work and for routine patients to be treated. We will continue to do all we can in line with recommendations from the relevant authorities and international best practices to keep our patients safe. 

Contrary to the false claims alluded to above, no patients or visitors to our facility have any reason to self-isolate. Patients should avoid casual visits to hospitals, just like applies to other public places. It is however very unsafe not to come to hospital for routine or emergent care where required. 

We assure the public that Cedarcrest Hospitals remains very safe for all our patients.

The press statement:

At last, Madagascar announces FIRST DEATH of Covid-19 despite cure claim

By News Proof 

Amidst controversial cure claims of Covid-19, Madagascar on Sunday announced the first death of a patient suffering from the novel coronavirus, nearly two months after it was first detected in the country, an AFP report published on France24 English suggests. 

According to the report, the victim is a 57-year-old hospital worker. He died on Saturday and had underlying diabetes and high blood pressure before he was infected, an official from the anti-coronavirus task team said.

"It is with great sadness that we have to share with all our compatriots, that there is an individual, aged 57, who died from Covid-19," professor Hanta Vololontiana said on public television.

He was a car park attendant at a hospital in the eastern city of Toamasina.

The Indian Ocean island which has reported 304 cases has hit the headlines over a home-grown herbal concoction that President Andry Rajoelina claims can cure people infected with the virus.

Nigerian and several African countries have ordered or expressed interest in the purported remedy, which is known as Covid-Organics.

The tonic drink is derived from artemisia, a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment and other indigenous herbs.

But the World Health Organization has warned against "adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy".

S'Leone appoints Nigerian Doctor as Head of Covid-19 Taskforce with $20,000 monthly wage

The government of Sierra Leone has appointed Nigeria’s Dr. Laoluwa Adejayan as head of its Covid-19 task force after adjudging him the best foreign medical practitioner in the country.

Consequently, his salary has been raised to $20,000 per month, a 100 per cent increase.

Adejayan is a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

He worked briefly in Bayelsa State after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme before transferring his service to the West African country under the Technical Aids Corps scheme, in 2012.

President Julius Maada Bio confirmed Adejayan’s appointment in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Bio described the Nigerian as a good ambassador of his country who has proved to be a well-trained, brilliant and hardworking doctor.

Buhari congratulated Adejayan for being a good ambassador of Nigeria.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari said the Federal Government was proud of his hard work in a foreign land.

Covid-19: Popular Nigerian Pastor sells coronavirus prevention oil at $100

By Dansu Peter 

Popular Nigerian Pastor, Godheart Val Aloysius has claimed he has made anointing oil that  immunize against ravaging pandemic of Covid-19. 

He made the claim on a Facebook post yesterday.

Below is his post:

"THE SOLUTION IS HERE!!!

Get This COVID-19 PREVENTION OIL and gain spiritual immunity to the deadly Pandemic 

with a seed of faith of 100 USD (100$)"

Covid-19 is from evil forces, Nigeria'll overcome like defeated B'haram - Archbishop Ediwe

By Dansu Peter 

A renowned cleric Archbishop Julius Ediwe has predicted that Nigeria will overcome the Coronavirus pandemic in the country in no distant time. The cleric stated this during the virtual prayer and fasting conference organized by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) recently. 

According to the cleric in his sermon titled “The beginning of the end”, he stated that the evil forces behind COVID-19 pandemic are on the verge of been put to shame in Nigeria and other countries. 

“Nigeria shall soon overcome the coronavirus pandemic in no distant time to the glory of God with the avalanche of revelations during our virtual prayer and fasting programme across the country. We prayed to God in our numbers, and God indeed proved Himself faithful to his people. The evil forces behind the coronavirus pandemic shall be put to shame, and Nigeria shall be liberated.”

“God revealed to us in the book of Revelation 17:14 that “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

The cleric further stated that the coronavirus pandemic is akin to the Boko Haram war in Nigeria and just like Nigeria defeated the Boko Haram terrorists, Nigeria shall also defeat COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I would like to state that just like God delivered victory to Nigeria against the Boko Haram terrorist group, He will also deliver Nigeria from the coronavirus pandemic. God was clear about this victory in the book of Isaiah 42:13 which states that the Lord will go forth like a warrior; He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes; He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” 

“God will go forth like a warrior for Nigeria and prevail against all our enemies, including the coronavirus, and there shall be a shout of victory in Nigeria.” 

The cleric counseled Nigerians regardless of their religious inclinations to be resolute in prayers in anticipation of the great victory coming. 

“God revealed to us during our virtual prayer programme that the victory that is coming for Nigeria shall be a resounding one just like in the book of Exodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.” 

“We, as Nigerians must understand the supremacy of the word of God and his promises to us as a nation, is sacrosanct. God did it for us in the Boko Haram case, and He shall do it again for us in the critical time. The coronavirus pandemic cannot be worse than the Boko Haram war in Nigeria. If God delivers us victory, He has also promised to deliver victory to Nigeria again.”

He further stated that NIFROP is an organization consists of people from both Christian and Muslim faithful’s that have come under one voice to pray for liberation for Nigeria over the years. 

“NIFROP is for the good of Nigeria, and this has been witnessed in all our programmes where pastors and imams take the turn to pray for Nigeria, and God indeed answered our prayers. We have received prophesies that have come to pass and the victory over coronavirus pandemic is one of them, just like the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.” 

Archbishop Ediwe who is also the Chairman Board of Trustees, National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace further charged Nigerians to keep faith in the word of God because every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. He does not change like shifting shadows. 

“James 1:17 states that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Isaiah 43:2 also states that when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” 

“When we walk through the fire, we will not be burned; the flames will not set us ablaze because God is with Nigeria, and this COVID-19 pandemic too shall pass.” 

It would be recalled that the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace is holding a 21-Days Prayer and Fasting for divine intervention and solution to Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

Nigeria sets to take delivery of Madagascar Covid-19 cure herbal vaccine

Nigeria is set to receive Republic of Madagascar's herbal drug 'COVID Organics (COV)', which the country's leaders said cures and prevents Coronavirus.

The Nation reported that Nigeria’s consignment has been sent to Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja. It was gathered that African countries were divided into zones for ease of transportation, leading to freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has been notified of the offer from Madagascar and arrangements are being made to bring Nigeria’s allocation to Abuja.

While some health officials are pushing for clinical trial of Covid Organics before being used in the country, there is reportedly pressure on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) subject the drug to further analysis.

Madagascar's herbal cure for COVID-19 sent to Nigeria

The Nation source said; 

“The consignments of the drug are being distributed to different countries in Africa based on zonal grouping. We have been told that Nigeria’s consignment is in Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja.

“When the herbal drink is brought into the country, we will know the next step. But some medical and scientific organisations are pressurising that the drug be subjected to clinical trial.

“Some countries like Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have subscribed to the drugs. Also, while South Africa has offered to conduct a scientific analysis of the drug, Senegal said it will subject it to clinical trial.

“I can assure you that the Federal Government will take the best decision on the drug in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“Before any food or drug can be administered in this country, there are certain protocols that must be followed. The government will not circumvent these protocols. We want solution; we want the best for Nigerians.”

Madagascar?s herbal cure for COVID-19 sent to Nigeria

Recall that on April 28, the Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the nation was ready to give Madagascar’s herbal drink a trial.

Mustapha said at that time; 

“I want to assure you that whatever is happening in the world, we are mindful of it and we are keeping a tab.

“I was reading of the experiences in Madagascar– of why everybody is drinking some solutions that have been prepared. This morning I was sharing with my wife, and I told her that probably I would request that Mr. President allow us import a plane load for a trial.

“We are all navigating an unchartered cause. Nobody has ever been on this road. So, every attempt to find solution that would bring succour to our people, be rest assured that this task force is very responsible and we would do everything to ensure that we get what will benefit our people, what will help them in the processes that we find ourselves today.”

This is coming after the World Health Organisation (WHO) maintained that the efficacy of the drug was unproven.

Covid-19 and Opportunity Cost of Survival..., By Posu Joseph

By Posu Joseph 

As at the time this article was pencilled , the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria stood at 4,151.

Of this total, 745 were discharged representing just 18 % while 128 deaths were recorded accounting for 3%.

Lagos State, the epicenter of the disease in Nigeria, accounted for 1764 of the total cases registered, representing 42 %. This is massive given that Lagos State is just a state in the whole of the 36 states of the Federation, including the Capital Territory, Abuja.

By the end of year 2019, no one, in his or her wildest contemplation, imagination and clairvoyance, could have ever predicted that by the first quarter of 2020, the world would have been enveloped by a global pandemic. It is a novel virus that seems to have changed the world order. It's a terrible situation.

 It was reported that in United States of America,  by March 8, 22 deaths were recorded. Going forward, by April 8, 17,600 deaths were recorded. This means that within a month, there was an increase of 79,900 % in death report. If this is a shock to you, then hear this.  As at when this report was written, the death rate in US stood at 78,600 and by implication, it means that within just two months, the percentage increase in death rate in US was 357,172 %. This astronomical surge is an affront to our common humanity.  Nothing could be more bizarre !

One ugly thing about the virus is that it is extremely contagious, making it the most contagious disease of the Century. This won't be the first time the world would experience such. In 1343, October precisely, Death Plague hit the world and claimed millions of souls. It occured in Italy but the virus was traceable to China. In 1918 as well, Spanish Flu shook the world, claiming millions of lives.

In each case, attention was paid to survival than anything. Mosques, churches, businesses were closed down. People self-isolated and those who couldn't, were quarantined. 

The same is what the world is experiencing now. To curtail the spread of the virus in Nigeria, the authorities declared a lockdown in the address made by President Buhari on the 29th of March for two weeks at the first instance and further extended it. This was for the concerned states - Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

This brought untold hardship to the people as the authorities couldn't provide enough pallatives to  cushion the effects of the lockdown.

Lagos State, the epicenter of the disease and the commercial nerve of the country, became desolate, destitute and the economy became atrophic. 

The Nigerian economy is largely characterized by informal sector with many depending on daily earnings for survival and since the authorities couldn't make palliatives available, they preferred to die of the virus than of hunger. 

The whole situation presented a dilemma. The age-long puzzle of " Chicken and Eggs " reared its ugly head here. Whichone should be considered now : Opening the economy but face the risk of the spread or total lockdown but watch the economy become more atrophic ?

This inverse relationship between the economy and the survival brought a tough position to the authorities. Afraid of uprising, the government decided to ease the lockdown gradually by opening up the economy a bit but using persuasive means to implore the people to comply with the related instructions that would curtail the spread. 

The proponents of economy opening - up argued that the virus should be managed the way other viral infections have been managed as it has come to stay. To them, Lassa, Chicken - Pox, Measles, Cholera etc all threatened humanity at their time but they are with us now and being managed. However, these people have not taken into consideration two things : the rate of contagiousness of the COVID-19 disease and its novel nature. The evolution and the pathology of the disease are still under findings and that makes the whole scenario difficult and bleak.

Now, opening the economy is not the problem. However, the most important aspect of any economy is the human capital. A sick people can definitely not run an economy. That's why labour is the most important factor of production because it has to do with the physical and mental contributions needed to manage the other factors of production. When labour is sick, the whole economy would be shut down.

Opportunity cost of taking a firm decision here is so required. Opportunity cost is an economic term. It is similar to saying for any decision taken, you must have forgo other decision or decisions given the limited resources. For example, suppose you had just a cake. It's either you eat the cake or you have it. You can't simply do the two. If you eat the cake, you would sacrifice having it. Reversely, if you want to have the case, then you must sacrifice it with being hungry. It's now left to you to take a decision given what you desire most.

What do we desire at this time ? Is it to stay alive or not  ? To stay alive, open

Medical scientists announce Covid-19 herbal vaccine which cured, Edo Speaker, Others

By Dansu Peter 

A team of medical scientists led by  Odion Obumese on Edo State claimed it has discovered a herbal cure for coronavirus.

Obumese, the leader of the scientists made the claim in a recent Facebook post wherthe was appealing to the state and federal government to invite his team for the trial of the herbs.

In his post on Facebook, he claimed that he recommended one the herbs to the Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, which was earlier tested positive to Covid-19, but now cured of the deadly virus after using the herb. 

“I recommended one of the herbs to the Speaker of a State House of Assembly when he was sick. He is well now and he has testified to the efficacy of the herbs", he said. 

The same herbs, he claimed he recommended for some coronavirus patients in Europe, which also cured them. 

"I also recommended the herbs to some infected Nigerians in Europe and today they are all doing well and free of covid-19. The actions of these herbs are anti-viral in nature and immune-boosting", he also claimed. 

Recall News Proof had recently published an article titled, "Covid-19: How Local Herbs Cured Me of Coronavirus, Edo Assembly Speaker, Okiye" , where Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Frank Okiye claimed he was cured of Covid-19 with the help of a certain herb. 

 

Covid-19: Singapore engages robotic dogs to monitor, record and report social distancing defaulters

Singapore has announced that henceforth it'll be deploying robot dogs in an effort to help encourage people to practise social distancing as the country deals with the Coronavirus pandemic  

On Friday, the government announced it would start deploying Spot, a famous yellow and black canine robot made by BostonDynamics' at local parks and that the robot "dog" will patrol the local areas broadcasting a pre-recorded message to visitors to remind them of the importance of social distancing.

The robotic dog will be equipped with cameras that will scan the surroundings and help government officials estimate the number of people gathering in parks.

"These cameras will not be able to track and/or recognize specific individuals, and no personal data will be collected," the government said in a statement.

"Unlike wheeled robots, Spot works well across different terrains and can navigate obstacles effectively, making it ideal for operation in public parks and gardens," it noted.

According to the government of Singapore, the robotic dog project will run in a limited trial for two weeks at one park during off-peak hours and if all goes well, authorities will consider expanding the program.

Singapore has suffered an alarming spike in Coronavirus cases recently after being praised initially for their handling of the virus.

Since March 17, Singapore's number of confirmed Coronavirus cases grew from 266 to 21,707 cases, according Johns Hopkins University which collates Covid-19 data worldwide .

In March, Singapore launched a contact-tracing app that uses Bluetooth to help users find out if they had close contact with someone infected by the virus.

Source: LIB

Covid-19: Tested Sperm in New Research Reveals Coronavirus Coud Also be STD

By News Proof 

Chinese researchers who tested sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a minority of them had the new coronavirus in their semen, opening up a small chance the disease could be transmitted sexually, scientists said on Thursday.

According to Reuters, a study by doctors at China’s Shangqiu Municipal Hospital of 38 men hospitalised with the disease found that six of them, or 16 per cent, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their semen.

The researchers said that while the findings were preliminary and based on only a small number of infected men, more research is needed to see whether sexual transmission might play a role in the spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

“Further studies are required with respect to the detailed information about virus shedding, survival time and concentration in semen,” the team wrote in a study published in JAMA Network Open.

“If it could be proved that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted sexually … (that) might be a critical part of the prevention,” they said, “especially considering the fact that SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the semen of recovering patients.”

Independent experts said the findings were interesting but should be viewed with caution and in the context of other small studies that have not found the new coronavirus in sperm.

A previous small study of 12 COVID-19 patients in China in February and March found that all of them tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples.

Allan Pacey, a professor of andrology at Britain’s Sheffield University, said the studies should not be seen as conclusive, since there were some technical difficulties in testing semen for viruses. He said the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sperm did not show whether it is active and capable of causing infection

Comply with directives, protocols at isolation centres, Minister tells…

“However, we should not be surprised if the virus which causes COVID-19 is found in the semen of some men, since this has been shown with many other viruses such as Ebola and Zika,” he said.

Sheena Lewis, a professor of reproductive medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, stressed that this was a “very small study” and said its findings were in keeping with other small studies showing low or no SARS-CoV-2 in tests of semen samples.

“However, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction are not yet known,” she said.

Covid-19: Popular Nigerian born British rapper dies of coronavirus

A Nigerian born British Rapper, Ty is dead at the age of 47 due to “complications” from coronavirus, his team reportedly confirmed on Thursday.

Ben “Ty” Chijioke was fighting for his life in a medically-induced coma after he tested positive for COVID-19, according to The Daily Mail.

A fundraiser for the critically acclaimed UK hip-hop star was launched in early April.

According to the page, the music star was: “admitted into the hospital with medical complications related to Covid-19.

“Shortly after, he was put in a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate to help his body receive the appropriate treatment.”

The star was then placed into a medically-induced coma, and later put on a ventilator, but was moved out of intensive care after his condition improved.

In the fundraisers’ last post on April 19, friend Diane Laidlow said: ‘Hey guys. Just to update you that TY is now out of the intensive care unit and is on a normal ward. He is doing much better. Super excited.’

‘I closed the page a few days ago but several people contacted me because they wanted to donate so I opened it again for a few days.’ 

Ty first shot to prominence in 2001 with his The Awkward, and his second album Upwards was nominated for The Mercury Prize in 2004. 

He went onto release three more albums with his last being A Work Of Heart in 2018.

Last year Ty also formed a supergroup called Kingdem featuring rappers Blak Twang and Rodney P. 

The rap superstar also collaborated with artists including Soweto Kinch, De La Soul and Roots Manuva. 

Since Ty’s passing many stars have paid tribute on social media, with Roots Manuva writing: ‘Rest my Brother. You did good.’

Blak Twang posted: ‘KING ”BENEDICT OBIOMA GODWIN EVERY LITTLE STEP IS A SOVEREIGN” Forever in my heart bro… Rest well my guy… we were blessed with your greatness.’  

Ghetts simply posted: ‘Ty fly high my brother,’ while  Roots Manuva posted: ‘Rest my brother. You did good.’ 

BREAKING: 381 New Covid-19 index cases in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC has announced the at there are 381 new index cases of Covid-19 in in Nigeria 

381 new cases of #COVID19;

183-Lagos

55-Kano

44-Jigawa

19-Zamfara

19-Bauchi

11-Katsina

9-Borno

8-Kwara

7-Kaduna

6-Gombe

5-Ogun

4-Sokoto

3-Oyo

3-Rivers

2-Niger

1-Akwa Ibom

1-Enugu

1-Plateau

3526 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

Discharged: 601

Deaths: 107 https://t.co/H5ouYwO9Cj

Covid-19: Nigeria'll consider local herbs treatment but... - Health Minister

By Dansu Peter 

The Nigeria's Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has the government would consider treating Coronavirus patients with local herbs but not until they are tested and certified safe for human body. 

Answering reporters’ questions at the briefing, the minister said the federal government would not settle for local herbs for COVID-19 cure now because such herbs were yet to be tested on any patient.

He said it would be risky to give patients to such claimants to the cure, in order to avoid toxic being administered on the patients.

“We have to test the efficacy of local drugs to see of it can kill the virus and also to find out that is in the process of killing the virus, it can affect the body. So, the institute will carry out the required test on the local drugs find out how it can work,” Ehanire said.

Covid-19 Herbal Cure : African Union defies WHO's warning, contacs Madagascar for CovidOrganic

By Dansu Peter 

In defiance to the warning of the World's Health Organization, WHO, the African Union has opened discussions with Madagascar aimed at exploring the safety and efficiency of a herbal remedy purported to cure COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against people using untested remedies for coronavirus.

It's no longer news that  Madagascar had launched Covid-Organics, a herbal cure vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

after conducting internal tests on the herbal remedy. 

The product has been championed by President Andry Rajoelina, who has held talks with various other African leaders in Africa to take up the remedy to aid their fight against the disease.

Countries that have expressed a willingness to acquire the drug include Comoros, the Republic of Congo and Guinea Bissau.

Now, the African Union says it will look into CovidOrganics after Rajoelina presented the medicine to other leaders from Africa in a teleconference Meeting on April 29.

“Once furnished with the details, the Union, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will review the scientific data gathered so far on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 Organics. This review will be based on global technical and ethical norms to garner the necessary scientific evidence regarding the performance of the tonic,” the African Union said.

WHO has issued a warning against people using untested remedies for coronavirus.

Africans deserve access to medicines that have gone through proper trials even if they are derived from traditional treatments, it said.

Its statement comes as Madagascar's president is promoting a herbal tonic for treating Covid-19 patients.

The African Union (AU) said it wanted to see the scientific data on the "safety and efficacy" of the product.

The tonic, known as Covid-Organics, was tested on fewer than 20 people over three weeks, a presidential aide told the BBC - which is not in line with WHO guidelines on clinical trials.

This can be a lengthy process in which a potential drug is tested in four phases, scaling up from a trial on a small number of patients to using it on a population countrywide.

Despite these reservations, several African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia, have already ordered Covid-Organics, which is produced from the artemisia plant - the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment - and other Malagasy plants.

Last week, Madagascar's President, Andry Rajoelina, spoke to an online meeting of African leaders about the tonic.

Following that meeting the AU asked to see more details about Covid-Organics which could be reviewed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

4 already dead of Covid-19 in Kogi Journalist makes shocking revelations

Despite the official reports by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, which indicates there is no index case of coronavirus in Kogi state , a journalist, Fisayo Soyombo's shocking revelations about the virus in the state has suggest otherwise. 

Soyombo in serial tweets this afternoon  narrated shocking details of deaths in FMC, Lokoja, Kogi state, after patients exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, as he accused the state government of cover-up.

According to Soyombo, at least 4 patients have died within one week at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, yet their samples weren't taken while they were alive or after they died to check if they had Coronavirus.

He added that there have been other patients who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms but were not tested and were later discharged.

He told of a pregnant woman who recently returned to Kogi from Lagos. She went to FMC, Lokoja, on March 22, for a ceserean section operation and showed symptoms of COVID-19, yet she wasn't tested and was discharged after her surgery.

He added that last week, there were patients in the O&G ward "who manifested respiratory issues, inability to breathe and other COVID-19 symptoms." He said three of them ended up dying. 

He tweeted: "One more patient exhibited potential COVID-19 symptoms on Sunday but moves for sample collection were futile; by yesterday (May 4), the patient was dead.

"I’ve been told there are more suspected cases, but these were the ones I personally tracked."

Fisayo accused the Kogi state government of cover up and suggested that they might be covering up Coronavirus cases in the state for three reasons, one being that none of the isolation centres in the state are ready for use. He said the second reason is that the state government doesn't have money to give to the people as palliatives so they pretend the state is free of COVID-19 cases.

He wrote: "Why would the state govt want to hide COVID-19 cases? There may be many reasons but I’m sure of three, so far:

"1. None of the 3 isolation centres — at SDG/FAREC Clinic, the Kogi State Diagnostics Centre & the Maimuna and Usman Yahaya Foundation Hospital — is ready for use."

Kogi state claims it has no case of Coronavirus but Fisayo's thread is questioning this claim.

Read the full thread below.

Man with chronic Covid-19 symptoms tests NEGATIVE, shares result online

By Dansu Peter 

A South African, Dumisani Ndubane by name has shared his negative test result of the global ravaging pandemic, the Covid-19, despite having chronic symptoms associated with the dreaded virus. 

Ndubane, in a post on his Facebook time-line said he decided to share the result of his Covid-19 test to correct the misconception many have about subjecting self to the test having observed some related symptoms. 

See text of Dumisani Ndubane's on Facebook below:

"Friends and comrades, my test results are finally in. The SARS-CoV-2  PCR test is Negative. This means they did not detect the viral RNA signature of the Corona virus in the throat swab sample they took from me." 

"This is welcome news for me particularly because I do have a history of acute pneumonia and ended up being hospitalized for 5 days in 2009 after developing a cruel case of pneumonia in one lung." 

"It does mean however that I need to continue being vigilant and take precaution when venturing out, as I can still get infected with this virus and I don't know if my body will mount a good enough response when I do." 

"On the positive side, it does mean that my hyper active mind will dial down on imagining pseudo symptoms. And just concentrate on conquering this cough that I still have." 

"Why share this here in this public platform? I want to contribute in fighting the fear around testing. Would I have shared if the results were positive? Yes, I would have, because even that would go some way towards delivering the message that at some point many of us will contract this disease."

Just In: Angry Covid-19 Patients Protest, Barricade Road

By Dansu Peter 

Report according to Sahara Reporters suggests that some COVID-19 patients at the Kwadon Isolation Centre, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, on Tuesday blocked the popular Gombe/ Biu Road.

The patients were said to be protesting against government's negligence, inadequate food and medical attention in the isolation centre.

A resident of the community, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said, “Yes, they have left the isolation center and are presently destroying people’s properties on the main highway. 

"It’s so sad, what could have led these patients into protesting against the government? I think government is not being truthful.”

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Gombe State currently has 96 confirmed cases of the virus.

However, an official of the state's Ministry of Health confirmed the situation to our correspondent. 

Covid-19: Pastor Adeboye makes new prophecy, reveals when "the tide will turn"

The renowned preacher and the general overseer of the Redeemed Christians Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has said the tide has turned at the spiritual realm against the ravaging pandemic of coronavirus. 

The preacher said normalcy will begin to return in no time in a tweet made yesterday. 

Listen to the audio of the prophecy HERE

Covid-19: I have 100% cure vaccine, awaiting NAFDAC approval - Ondo Doctor claims

By News Proof 

Dr Ola Olasumbo, a traditional medical practitioner in Ondo state has claimed that he has discovered a herbal vaccine that 100% cures the ravaging pandemic of coronavirus, alias Covid-19. 

To verify his claim, Dr. Olasumbo has asked the Federal and Ondo State Governments to send some patients suffering from COVID-19 to him for treatment.

Speaking with journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Olasumbo expressed confidence that the drug would treat all symptoms of the deadly coronavirus but said he is currently awaiting the approval of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in order for a clinical trial of the drug to commence.

The traditional doctor disclosed that discovered the cure for the novel COVID-19  after rigorous research into the possible cure of the pandemic ravaging the globe.

He said he was able to discover the cure for COVID -19 after months of research saying that Coronavirus is similar to chickenpox and measles that are highly contagious.

The trado-medical doctor who is the head of Ethno-Pharma Company said if China, the epicentre of the virus was able to tackle the disease with herbal drugs Nigerian should not write off herbal remedy for the treatment of Coronavirus.

He said China, where Coronavirus started last year did not exit the pandemic through the use of pharmaceutical drugs but through the use of natural herbs.

He expressed confidence that the drug is the perfect antidote to the virus, he said that he is not ready to collect any monetary benefit from the government.

While revealing that the components of the drug were made of three plants, Dr Olasumbo emphasized that he had produced drugs which had treated and cured some diseases.

He said, “When the virus was reported in China with subsequently confirmed cases in other parts of the world, the association of herbal practitioners in Nigeria met and it was resolved that everyone should go into research towards finding a cure for the virus.

“After months of research, I discovered the drug which has already been produced. But what I’m waiting for now is NAFDAC’s approval for the clinical trial to commence.

“In the past, I have produced drugs which cured measles and chickenpox as well as other life-threatening ailments. So, with this latest discovery, I’m certain that COVID-19 has been defeated.”

Olasumbo who said he has accepted the challenge of Governor Akeredolu on the use of herbs to cure the pandemic said the vaccine which he has developed would completely wipe out COVID-19 if given approval by the agency regulating drug use in the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Apart from boosting the immune system of those affected by COVID-19, the herbal practitioner said the vaccine would completely cure the pandemic.