Madagascar minister fired over $2m lollipop (sweets) order for coronavirus treatment
Madagascar’s education minister has been fired over plans to order more than $2m (US dollars) worth of sweets for school children.
Rijasoa Andriamanana the education minister told Madagascar people that pupils would be given three lollipops each to mask the “bitter” aftertaste of an untested herbal remedy for coronavirus.
President Andry Rajoelina is promoting the herbal tonic Covid-Organics as a coronavirus cure.
Several African countries continue to import Covid-Organics believing it will help combat the virus, but the World Health Organization has warned that no proven cure exists.
The plan was called off after objections from Madagascar’s president. The President fired the Minister as it would have brought accountability issues in a country with failing Health Sytem.
Madagascar’s National Medical Academy has also cast doubt on the efficacy of the artemisia-based drink, saying it had the potential to damage people’s health.
