Mbanje, snuff, veterinary drugs & more

• Covid-19 forces desperate Zimbos to turn to unusual remedies
• Authorities urged to raise awareness, protect public
• ZINATHA warns of ‘toxic’ mixtures

By Kundai Marunya

Spiking numbers of coronavirus infections, an unreliable public health system and expensive prescription medication are forcing a large number of Zimbabweans to use unproven veterinary drugs, herbal medicine and home remedies to try and treat Covid-19.
Health professionals have warned that some of the herbs and drugs could be dangerous to one’s health.
“Someone phoned me asking if mixing lemon with bicarbonate of soda is a good remedy for Covid-19,” said Dr Anesu Muridzi, a general practitioner.
“The combination’s chemical reaction has serious health implications. I can imagine how many people may have already taken the ‘remedy’ or other toxic substances following misleading posts on social media.”
Desperation for a cure has even seen some people contemplating taking a veterinary drug known as Ivermectin.
Recently, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) acting director-general Richard Rukwata had to issue a statement after his office had been “besieged” with a number of inquiries from members of the public on whether the drug Ivermectin was suitable for Covid-19 prevention.
“In view of the growing number of inquiries and reports received concerning use of veterinary Ivermectin injection for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19, MCAZ is strongly advising members of the public, veterinary medicines general dealers and healthcare practitioners against the use of veterinary formulations of Ivermectin injection in humans for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19, or any other health condition.”
Ivermectin is a veterinary product approved for the treatment and control of parasites in animals.
“Furthermore, Section 88 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations 1991, SI 150 of 1991 prohibits the use of any veterinary medicine for the treatment of humans. Any researchers interested in exploring novel therapeutics for Covid-19 can only do so under clinical trial settings or in any other manner after prior authorisation by MCAZ,” warned Rukwata.
“Unapproved uses of medicines can lead to negative health problems, worsening of your condition or even death. The Authority therefore recommends that patients and healthcare providers use standard treatment guidelines and protocols approved by Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”
Other remedies that are peddled online as being helpful include bute (traditional snuff), mixing marijuana and zumbani to smoke or drink as green tea, and the common flu remedies.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) has, however, urged people to stick to professionals when seeking remedies to avoid the danger of being dosed with toxic material.
“We have noticed a growing number of people selling various remedies from street corners. This is dangerous as one doesn’t really know where they are sourcing their herbs or the makeup of the concoctions.
“They may even give one the wrong doses so it’s always best to deal with professionals who are registered under a board approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said ZINATHA president George Kandiero.
Kandiero did not dismiss the helpfulness of herbs in the fight against Covid-19.
“Covid-19 is a virus so most of the remedies we recommend boost the immune system. At the moment we are recommending guchu,” he said.
Guchu is a concoction of various traditional herbs that is known to cure various ailments including STIs and stomach ache while it is popular libido boosting capabilities.
“People have been taking guchu for a long time,” said Kandiero.
“Other common remedies popular with people are zumbani and guava leaves. These are just there to alleviate common flues.”
Yesterday, Zimbabwe recorded 942 new infections over 24 hours while the virus claimed 23 lives.
This brings the death toll since the first recorded case in March last year to 551 while the country has recorded a total of 23 239 cases.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a far more aggressive second wave of infections that has left pubic hospitals failing to cope.
Crucial equipment needed to cure those in critical conditions, including ventilators, are in short supply.
If lucky to find a bed with a ventilator at private institutions, patients are having to part with between US$3000 and US$5000, a huge amount considering the majority of people are unemployed, surviving mostly from hand to mouth.
Though Government has hinted on the imminent availability of vaccines in the next month, people remain skeptical of when they will be able to get vaccinated.
To reduce the spread of the virus, Government has imposed a national lockdown that forced many companies that are not part of the essential services to close down. The informal sector was also forced to shut down leaving millions without revenue streams.
Due to hunger, poverty and lack of necessities, many people are defying the lockdown – pinning their hopes for survival on herbal and home remedies.
“I regularly drink lemon, zumbani and ginger tea to reduce chances of infection,” said a shebeen queen who operates in Zimre Park.
“I meet a lot of people when I conduct my business, and sometimes it’s hard to force clients especially when drunk to adhere to Covid-19 measures so these remedies have been protecting me since the first lockdown last year.” Nhau/Indaba