Coronavirus: Guinean citizens believe in traditional treatment…..!

As the world waits for a vaccine, some Guinean citizens are turning to medicinal plants and ancestral preparations. A controversial type of treatment for public health, for which also the consequences of this practice are dangerous.

Beliefs in traditional medicine have played a role in combating all epidemics. In Guinea, we are witnessing a deep attachment to popular traditions against coronavirus disease: hair boiled in water, honey, ginger, hot water, olive oil, mentholatum. In this period of pandemic, many believe in the miraculous power of plants, strengthening their immunity to protect against covid-19.

Visiting traditional practitioners poses a risk of spreading the virus

Professor El Hadj Saïdou Baldé, researcher at the Dubréka medicinal and food plants research and development institute, provides details on the consequences of traditional treatment to the great dismay of conventional medicine.

“Traditional practitioners who want to treat a cough or fever of a Covid-19 patient risk contaminating themselves or the patient risks contaminating their area, since many patients come to see them. What we must especially focus our efforts on is the benefit of barrier gestures” he warns.

Some Guineans believe in traditional treatment against covid-19

The use of treatment against covid-19 is in full swing, on the traditional medicine front, some Guineans believe in it as a remedy. Citizens interviewed in the streets of Conakry have a favorable opinion for effective treatment of coronavirus through traditional products.

“In any case, every natural disease has its remedy in nature, because God put everything in nature. Products with a bitter taste can treat this disease, for example, acacia, popa, » supports a citizen to whom we handed our microphone.

“Our traditional medicines are products that can indeed cure the coronavirus. So, these are medications that should not be underestimated. It’s not that I don’t trust other medications,” explains another.

While waiting for a vaccine to be found against the coronavirus, debates continue on the use or not of traditional products.

Amadou Dari DIALLO