Category: Health

This is not the best of times in Anambra State as coronavirus (COVID-19) has ruptured social life. Leisure providers no longer make brisk businesses, writes EMMA ELEKWA

As the world reels under the pangs of coronavirus crisis, which has locked down businesses and social life in many countries, Nigeria too is not spared. The crisis has continued to take its toll on virtually every sector. One obvious area the impact has largely been felt is the economic sector, with commercial activities in all the cities across the country gradually crumbling due to the pandemic.

What seems to be worsening the effect of the pandemic is the restriction of movement declared by the Federal Government, particularly in the night. The 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew has not only affected commercial activities across states, it has also adversely affected night life in major cities.

In Anambra State, for example, where residents are used to staying out late at nights to have fun, particularly after the inauguration of “lightening up Anambra project” by Governor Willie Obiano-led administration, it has not been easy.

Before the curfew, night life and businesses blossomed as owners of night clubs, hotels, eateries and beer parlours and other entertainment centres had a field day, making brisk businesses in almost every corner of the state. Most of the major cities in the state, including Awka, the capital, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, among others, had witnessed serious commercial activities with night sessions being the peak period.

Sadly, the ever-busy cities have become shadows of themselves following the government’s directives on restriction of movement as part of the measures towards containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the residents, who spoke with The Nation lamented that the development has crippled their businesses as they were forced to close shops at a time they referred to as their peak period. They said the situation had also led to downsizing of workers in those places. They appealed to the Federal and state governments to come up with economic stimulus package to assist them in cushioning the effects of the continued containment measures at the same time make their contributions to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mr. Author Mbuba, whose wife operates a relaxation joint in Onitsha, appealed to the government to consider special stimulus package for small-scale business owners to encourage them to remain in business.

“The people in the entertainment industry are the worst hit. If you buy meat and did not finish selling it, with this epileptic power supply we have here, all the perishables will spoil the next day and you keep incurring debts. People are no longer coming due to the curfew. Some who would have relaxed with about three bottles rarely come in again to take even a bottle,” he decried.

Mr. Ndubuisi Eze, who operates a palm wine bar, said it has not been easy from sit-at-home to lockdown and now curfew. He said it was rather painful contemplating laying off some members of staff who might not have what to eat or how to sustain themselves.

“Nwoke Udi no longer makes sales like before. Ninety per cent of us are highly hit by the pandemic. But if you think of reducing the strength of members of your staff, you also consider the impact of the workers who may not have any other means of livelihood. Honestly, it has affected everybody in the world,” he said.

Mr. Oliver Ugwuowa, a hotelier, recalled how he smiled to the bank before this period, while Jude Okoye, a night club operator, described what he had lost to the pandemic as unquantifiable. They prayed God to take away the pandemic so that the society would bounce back to normalcy.

Two Disk Jockies, Obinna Okoko Dj Slam and Onyebuchi Ofora Dj Buchiano, said the situation had crippled their businesses as they no longer get to play in night parties and relaxation joints.

“COVID-19 has affected us badly. No party, no club, nobody calls DJs now.  We’ve not been going to events, including traditional marriages and wedding ceremonies for some time. We pray this whole thing should be a thing of the past,” they said.

Lady Constance Ukwuoma, a beer parlour operator, regretted that she no longer made enough sales to pay her bills. “This COVID-19 pandemic is really affecting me. I am running a whole lot of bills, owing so many people, including the woman that brings stuffs for me. I don’t even have money to feed my children. Once it’s 7:00 p.m., everybody will start packing as if there is going to be a war.”

A commercial sex worker that preferred not to be named also lamented that the curfew had closed her source of livelihood. Food vendors, popularly called mama put, are not left out in the dilemma as they close early enough to avoid being arrested by security personnel. One of them, Ukamaka Nwodo, said it had become very difficult to feed her family.

She said: “This COVID-19 and the attendant curfew are really affecting my business because I don’t cook anymore. I’m finding it very difficult to take care of my needs and that of my family since it’s the only business I do for now. We normally start from 7:00 p.m. till 12 midnight. But now, I no longer cook because of the curfew.”

Mrs. Rose Nwazota, a pharmacist, also lamented the toll the curfew was taking on her business as the curfew time fell within their peak period when she makes huge sales.

“We usually sell much more from 7:30 p.m., but these days, we close early because of the curfew. So, the business is no longer lucrative as before,” she said.

A tricycle operator, Mr. Samuel Nwankwo, said they were compelled to close early due to the situation. “The curfew is affecting us tricycle drivers seriously because we have to close early. We normally make more money at night,” he lamented. Meanwhile, the Police Command said a total of 65 people have been arrested for violation of curfew in various parts of state.

The Command’s spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement, said 24 were arrested at Umunze, 15 in Onitsha and 20 in Nnewi Area Command. He said all the cases were under investigation after which suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

“Between 8/5/2020 and 13/5/2020, the command had arrested 65 suspects who violated the curfew on COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra State. Of the suspects, 24 were arrested at Umunze, 15 in Onitsha and 20 in Nnewi Area Command. Fifteen vehicles were also impounded. In Umuchu, a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number JXL 76 YF conveying 19 young men from the North and travelling to Asaba, Delta State was intercepted and turned back.

“In Awka, six suspects were also arrested on the 12/5/2020 at Big Ballers Lounge, Abakaliki Street, Awka. The suspects are Nwoye Loveth,’f’, Anigbogu Michael ‘m’, Michael Ogbonna,’m’, Eric Nwafor, Ani Blessing’f’and Mirabel Ishewu ‘f’. The command is determined to enforce the curfew order to the letter and will therefore not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any individual or group of people found violating the government order.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, solicits the co-operation and understanding of the public by adhering strictly to government directive which was aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus which has become a global pandemic.”

By Adekunle Yusuf

 

As controversies continue to trail the herbal concoction from Madagascar, which has received the nod to undergo clinical testing in Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) has called on the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Government to insist on scientific-based process in the quest for a therapy to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This call was contained in a  statement on the global efforts to curtail the pandemic released by its President, Dr Anthony Ikeme, and the Secretary, Dr Aloysius Ibe.

According to NAPPSA, it is imperative that NAFDAC, as the regulatory agency, be involved in the development and use of any drug to treat or prevent COVID-19 in Nigeria to ensure drug safety.

NAPPSA also called on the Federal Government to support research and development efforts for COVID-19 as well as to tread cautiously before throwing its weight behind any therapeutic claim for the disease.

“We strongly recommend that drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19 be evaluated in randomised clinical trials (RCT).

Since clinical trials for therapeutics are regulated by NAFDAC, the agency should issue guidance on the development of drugs with direct antiviral activity, immunomodulatory activity or other mechanisms of action. The Federal Government should also be fully committed to supporting R&D efforts for COVID-19,” NAPPSA said.

The association said the call became necessary in view of the  promotion by Nigerians and other African nations of the purported COVID-19 therapeutic drugs and treatments that are not scientifically proven.

NAPPSA said of particular interest are the promotions of Artemisia-based COVID-Organics (CVO) from Madagascar and COV-herbal Cough Mixture from the Office of TCAM in Nigeria, among other products.

“We strongly advise against using scientifically untested or unproven remedies for COVID-19. Nigerians deserve to use medicines tested to the same standards as people in the rest of the world. Even if therapies are derived from traditional practice and natural sources, establishing their efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical trials is critical,” NAPPSA said.

The association explained that it felt obligated to raise these concerns over these drugs due to the dangers posed by untested and unproven therapies, including safety issues and credibility questions.

Failure to enforce due clinical trial process “encourages the proliferation of wild untested therapeutic claims which is a breeding ground for unsafe use of therapeutic agents with huge implications for public health”.

Read Also:NAFDAC begins testing of four virus remedy drugs

 

The pharmaceutical body reiterated that it was mindful that the pandemic demands scientists with expertise and know-how, including Nigerian scientists, to expedite the search and discovery of new therapeutic remedies for the coronavirus disease and to save lives. “But this effort should not be at the expense of quality and scientific rigor.”

Madagascar’s CVO is made from the artemisia plant which is a source of artemisinin, a significant component of modern antimalarials.

This has led some other commentators to warn of the collateral effect that could result from the development of artemisinin resistance, if it is used at a very large scale against coronavirus.

It has been pointed out that as horrible as COVID-19 is, it is not good public health policy to trade solution for one public health issue with another one.

While almost five million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded around the world, causing more than 300,000 deaths as of May 15, there are over 200 million cases of malaria around the world and half a million deaths in children under five.

NAPPSA reiterated its commitment to giving regular updates on the global fight against COVID-19 to ensure its homeland defeat the disease quickly and emerge stronger with a quality healthcare system.

Founded in 2006 and representing over 7000 pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmaceutical educators, NAPPSA works to support global health by enabling the advancement of pharmaceutical practice, sciences and education.

Nigerians consume oil every day as most of the food on the supply chain are being fried with vegetable oil, but how healthy is our vegetable oil, because our food speaks a lot about our state of heart, little wonder that most Nigerians are down with diseases. To raise our life expectancy, Nigerians need to recognize how healthy their vegetable oil is. The Executive Director, Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF) Dr. Kingsley Kola Akinroye speaks with Omolara Akintoye on the need for government to be ready to manage outbreak of diseases, work towards 0% Trans-fat in our vegetable oils by 2030 and support policies that will promote a healthy nation, among other sundry issues

This organization has been here for a while, yet we have a lot of health issues in Nigeria, are we making any progress at all?

Yes the Nigerian Heart Foundation came into being looking ahead at our development here in Nigeria and Africa; it came into being unofficially in 1990 and officially in 1992. We were privilege to have a distinguished Nigerian who worked with World Health Organisation, (WHO) Professor Adeoye Lambo who was the first African to work as the Deputy General of WHO and was able to see what was going to be in the following century, the focus of WHO as at then was on Infectious disease but from his desk, reaching him was that Africa was going to be into the epidemic of non-communicable diseases especially cardiovascular diseases (heart disease). By that time the American Heart Association was in existence for almost more than 50 years but there was no Heart Foundation in Africa at that time. This is just a background to how NHF came into existence.

A public health issue today that is generating a lot of attention across the globe is what is referred to as Trans fats or Trans fatty acids, not many Nigerians understand what it is all about?

Causes of heart disease can either be developmental or can be due to what is referred to as risk factors of heart disease which are issues that can directly or indirectly damage heart disease. In 2011, UN did recognize this is the fact that we are now in a very dangerous situation and some factors were initially identified as causes of heart disease, namely: Unhealthy diets; Tobacco; sugar and finally lack of physical activity, but central to all these is the unhealthy diets which is a common factor. Out of all the unhealthy diets is our sugar intake: sugar in our diets, beverages and the manufacture sugar which we consume. Another is the unhealthy fat which we consume as well as our salt intake, so you recognize some factors in Nigeria and in Africa in the diets that damages the heart, even from the womb.

Fat is very bad for the heart because the heart itself is like a balloon and the balloon that pumps out blood we have the balloon outlet which are the blood vessels, and when you consume too much fat, science believes those channels are blocked by fats and when this happens, they narrow the blood circulation to the heart which can lead to heart attack or can increase the blood pressure.

Trans Fat is also a product found in the body which when consumed in high content raises the unfriendly cholesterol which is the low density cholesterol and can lead to heart attack and it decreases the friendly cholesterol. So this is what has come to the fore the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognizes that the level of trans fat in full especially all over the world and more in developing countries is rising, and because of the rise in the content of trans fat in the food there is now a regulation that by 2030, we must ensure that we eradicate Trans fat in all the food products available all over the world and Nigeria is a signatory to this statement. So it can occur naturally and can occur artificially, it can be found in milk product, meat product for natural product but it is more common in artificial products which are produced industrially. The industrial production of Trans fat is common in manufactured vegetable oil.

How can a lay man identify vegetable oil that contains artificially produced Trans-fat?

As far back as 2003, the NHF in partnership with NAFDAC have been working on all vegetable oil in the Country scientifically and in the area of research and we have data which we have done on it. We have instituted what is referred to as the Nigerian Heart Foundation Food Labeling Program, it’s a voluntary program recognized by most National Heart Foundation across the globe. Countries like America, British, S/A have similar program. This program is available to all industries that want to subject the products they are producing to come and get the heart mark label.

To get the label, you have to satisfy the criteria which are international criteria and we’ve also partnered with NAFDAC in that area. There is a special logo on such vegetable oil with approval from the Nigeria Heart Foundation. But for you to get the logo, you must come in voluntarily, that is the number 1 criteria-NAFDAC approval. Second, you must allow NHF to subject your product to analysis in any part of the world, so we take the product and send it to our own Independent True Laboratory, the Trans Fat content of your vegetable oil must be between 0-1 gram, as of now we are in 1 gram, but by 2030 in Nigeria, NAFDAC/NHF will not accept any product that have a trace of trans fat. We are working towards 0% Trans fat in our vegetable oils by 2030.

Is it the act of using the vegetable oil to fry our food that is the problem or what?

Most of the industrially produced oil contains Trans-fat, therefore, ensure that your oil is free of trans fat. Second, ensure that you use the vegetable oil to fry your food once because the process of frying food with vegetable oil changes the chemicals inside it and can make it to be very dangerous to the heart.

Is there any alternative to Trans-fat on the food supply chain?

There is no alternative, just like tobacco, whatever is bad is bad, we should work towards having no trans-fat in our food by 2030. Most of the food we have on the street: pastries, yam, beans cake, etc, we use oil, so everyone consume oil everyday especially in Africa and we want to raise our life expectancy, all these are very important, we need to take care of the heart and the only way is to increase the awareness hence we have the ‘Heart mark labeling’ a simple way for people to recognize how healthy their vegetable oil is. The illiteracy level of Nigerian is high but a lay man can recognize the heart mark label, a mark that says the product is certified NHF/NAFDAC let me buy the product. We are creating awareness in that area even at the grassroots, if we get to that level then everyone will be aware of what is called Trans fat.

 

 

 

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) has expressed concern that poor adherence to safety measures is encouraging community transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic within the country.

The group also said there was the need for more action to be taken in enlightening and educating rural dwellers on strict observance of personal hygiene.

Its National President, Prof. Chinyere Ukaga, who addressed reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, lamented that many Nigerians were yet to understand that the need for regular hand washing with soap is to prevent transmission of COVID-19 through surface contact.

“When droplets from infected persons fall on surfaces such as table tops, chair arms, door knobs and others, the virus can remain viable in these droplets for a few days. When these surfaces come into contact with human hands, they can be picked up and transferred to either the nose or eyes or mouth when the person rubs his eyes or nose or puts the unwashed hands in the mouth. This is the main reason to wash hands frequently and why infected persons are quarantined or confined to an isolated place. This is also the reason individuals who have been in close contact with sick persons are sought out and quarantined,” she said.

Ukaga called on the NCDC to allow members of PPSN to contribute to the struggle against the pandemic, especially “as we have membership spread across the country.”  She urged members of the society to create special awareness on the need to obey the Nigerian government on social distancing.

“COVID-19 is less deadly than SARS but is far more transmissible than SARS. Wherever you are, help the others to understand the urgent need to avoid any form of gatherings. Some local people still dismiss COVID–19 as a gimmick and blame the government for making things very difficult. When countries like Italy, Spain, and United States cannot contain the virus with  their medical gadgets and modern technologies, and their people are dying in numbers on a daily basis, what will happen in Nigeria to Nigerians with poor medical facilities?” she said.

Despite that many communities do not have regular tap water, Ukaga advised the PPSN members to help the locals to construct ‘Veronica buckets’ or buckets with taps, which can be placed in each home so that anybody who comes into the house is made to wash their hands with soap and water on entry and on exit. While advising Nigerians to take in things that boost their immune system and avoid sugar, Ukaga equally urged them do seek medical attention when feeling sick and not to self-medicate.

By Adekunle Yusuf

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has criticised the importation of an herbal concoction from Madagascar.

In a statement, its President, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, said importing the herbal concoction called COVID-Organics (CVO) from Madagascar is like bringing coal to Newcastle.

“While in principle we would not mind the Nigerian government importing any new drug that is proven to cure COVID-19 or indeed any other disease for which we have neither the capacity nor the technology to produce locally, we are appalled that Nigeria is about to spend scarce foreign exchange to import coal into Newcastle. Even if we are not going to pay for this, it is thoroughly disgraceful that a country that should be the leader of Africa, with the largest GDP will allow itself to be dragged this low,” Ohuabunwa said.

Nigeria has 174 universities (43 federal, 52 state and 79 private), with 20 faculties of pharmacy and about 69 federal-funded research institutes, including National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), compared with Madagascar, which has only six universities, one faculty of pharmacy and nine research centres. With these resources, the PSN boss believes Nigeria should be the one to set the pace for the continent, adding that Nigeria has some of the best scientists (pharmaceutical, medical, bio-chemical, biological) in the world who have done so much work on natural and herbal medicines.

“Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, a number of them have raised their voices that they have herbal and natural products that can be used to treat or manage COVID-19. Some have patents. Many herbal companies and producers have announced specifically that they have herbal formulations that can do what this ‘invention’ from Madagascar can do. We have raised our voices severally that the Federal Government should review these claims and help put them through clinical evaluation as most of these producers cannot afford to conduct clinical trials.

“We have recommended that a portion of the nearly N25 billion donated/allocated for the COVID-19 pandemic should be dedicated for local research and development. But our government has remained essentially silent, only waiting to participate in WHO-sponsored or mandated trials. We have been told that Nigeria is participating in the WHO solidarity trial, but nothing on trying our own inventions and formulations. Now we want to import COVID Organics from Madagascar to try? If the world can supply us synthetic and chemically-sophisticated medicines which we apparently lack the technology to pro-duce, why must we wait for the world to supply us herbal formulations which we can easily make and which we have similar products.

“We urge our government to save Nigerian pharmaceutical scientists and other scientists from the shame of having our country import and try herbal remedies which God has given us in abundance and some of which our grandfathers and grandmothers have used for ages. Let us try our own local formulations before we try COVID Organics or any other imported remedy. Every well-meaning nation has been in a race to find cures, remedies and other medical supplies used for COVID-19, while we seem to wait for other nations to solve our problems. There is much talk but little action. This dependency mentality needs to change and now is the time,” Ohuabunwa added.

By Femi Kusa

Many nations laboured on this week in the search for a COVID-19 infection cure. Madagascar exported  COVID ORGANICS to 15 West African nations. The United Arabs Emirates (UAE) announced it was close to a cure.

So did a Nigerian-led group of infectious diseases researchers in the United States. That Nigerian is Dr. Obafemi Taiwo, of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago. Originally, their drug, Remdesivir, was designed for Hepatitis B.

But it did not crack the Hepatitis Virus. Next, it was tried on Ebola Virus with limited success. Against Coronavirus, Remdesivir brought cures within one week of use to a majority of 113 patients who got it through their doctors on  compassionate grounds.

Only two of 113 patients died. But, back home, the Nigerian government was still flat footed, with many Alternative and Traditional Medicine prophets roaring to fly but unlikely to be honoured by their own land.

Undeterred, the Ooni of Ife, one of the paramount rulers of Southwestern Nigeria, continued his royal visits to Government Houses in this region with a veiw to pushing plant medicine which custodians of traditional medicine say can do the job.

In Lagos State, whose government has easily become Nigeria’s leader government in terms of combating the pandemic, Health Commissioner Professor Akin Abayomi invited attention to the immune system as the waterloo of Coronavirus disease.

India is singing the same song with many countries which now recognise the immune system as the last fortress against COVID- 19 infection. In salute of the immune system, this column gives way today to Prof Devan, a popular Indian head and neck surgeon who in his country mounted a campaign against the use of HydroxyChloroquine and Azithromycin in the treatment of COVID-19 disease patients.

In the recent national interview, he revealed how this two drugs killed doctors who took them to prevent infection and did not spare their patients as well.

Prof Devan said he has cured several patients by making them drink hot water and adding iron, zinc and amino acids to their diet.

He explained how this nutritional factors build a powerful immune system. Devan was interviewed by Mr. Lai Goel on the subject titled: “How to treat Coronavirus at the initial stage. Both men have the floor…

COVID-19 or Coronavirus disease has engulfed the entire world, including India. Today,  we have Dr. Devan with us, who is the professor of Surgery, Head and Neck at Ajay Medical College. Welcome, Dr. Devan.

My first question to you doctor: What is your opinion and how you think you are going to treat or do you have any protocol to treat these COVID-19 patients? Please explain…

“It is indeed so distressing for us to see how many people are dying across the world. Now, I really give a brief overview of this entire thing looking at the way the virus is.

First, what does a virus do the moment it gets a chance? It jumps to a human and starts to replicate. Now, what a human will do is that, it will initiate the initial defence processes of viral immunity.

When the body realises that it is not having the requisite body defence capacity, what can the body do? The body can arrest viral replication by increasing the body temperature. Now, this happens a few days, like one or two days, after the virus has gained access to the body.

Now, what should we as humans do? The moment we have the symptom which may be a slight itch or a pain in the throat, a slight feverish feeling, a feeling of tiredness, slight temperature, we can assist the body instantly with its second line of defence. And that is by increasing our own body temperature.

If you observe when animals become sick, what do they do?

They sleep, go and sit in bright, hard sunlight, thereby increasing their body temperature.

How can we do that: by frequent sipping of hot water. I repeat again by frequent sipping of hot water. Drink hot water enough; less than half a glass every 15 minutes. Keep sipping until you sweat.

Must the water be sizzling hot?

Yes, sizzling hot. Keep it in a flask. Take half a glass and then tolerable temperature. You can’t be burning and scalding your mouth by it, but tolerable hotness and keep sipping, which is tolerable when you keep doing that.

When the body temperature increases by one degree Celsius, what does a it do?

It attempts to bring it down because it does not prepare for immune fight through temperature. And therefore we start sweating. The moment you start sweating, it is a clear indication that the body temperature has gone up.

Now, if you keep doing that throughout the day for the next two days, that is 48 hours time, viral replication will stop and the body’s innate antiviral mechanism defence will kick in and completely inactivate the virus and kill it. That is how it should be.

Suppose I am doing exercise now and I am sweating and definitely my body temperature increases, will that be effective in killing the germ?

“No! No! No! That will not help because I have come across a report saying that you should do hot water gargle. That is not enough. You need to keep the hot water in a flask and keep sipping hot water. Keep using it until you start sweating. It is not about the exercise.

Exercise has no relevance. If a person feels that he has been infected already, even if only because he has gone to an epidemic zone where there is known risk of Coronavirus, come back and, for the next 48 hours, keep sipping hot water until the body temperature increases.

In that 48 hours time, the body’s immune defence system will kick in and clear the viral load. That is the prime intent, to clear off the viral load and kill it.

That is why people are dying, when their immune system is not strong enough to defeat the germs?  Therefore, our focus should be to increase the immune levels of the population at large.

Now, as you know, many years back, during my post-graduation, my prime research and thesis was on immunology and infections. At that time, I had a massive file on Zinc.

What is the basis of the immune system of the human body? Primarily, it is red. Which is why we say an apple a day, keeps the doctor away. What do you see in an apple? Of course, when  you cut an apple, it becomes red, showing it has a rich content of Iron.

Earlier, we knew that if we had adequate iron stores, the body’s immunity will increase. The second need for immunity is Zinc. Zinc is a second cornerstone of immunity. And, of course, we have Linus Pauling, a double Nobel Laureate, who talked about Vitamin C.

Now, the main defence mechanism that first kicks in, is called Humoral immunity, which is antibodies. And to create antibodies, we must have adequate Amino Acids. What are Amino Acids? Let us have a look at nature’s ingredients, which will give these things.

Number one, Amino Acid from Sprouts. Number two, Vitamin C from fresh lime. Number three, Iron, from either Apple or Black Raisins. Raisins are black because of their iron content.

And number four, Zinc. Very high Zinc content is in Papaya and Watermelon seeds. So, if you have either of these as natural ingredients or if you have them as supplements, to a large extent, the body gets a fighting chance to fight this.

I have treated countless children by just these supplements. Countless parents have come and told me that about nine weeks of supplementation, led to a large extent of viral sore throat or Rotavirus Sinus disease, which children suffer, all disappearing.

We should realise why do we call a Cold a Cold? Cold is an activator of viruses that are dormant in our throat. And when children drink ice, the virus does get activated, they get a sore throat.

And then, of course, we medically go and give antibiotics, which is wrong and should not be, because it’s primarily a viral infection.

What do I tell parents? The moment you give a child something cold, come back home and drink half a glass of hot water. To a large extent, this viral activation will not happen.

I therefore want to re-emphasise, so very clearly, because my belief is that in the initial 48 hours, when the person feels that he is infected, do we have this, as an intervention, or therapeutic option advocated by anybody? As at today, unfortunately, No. But, if in the first 48 hours, the patient frequently keeps sipping hot water, the chances of fatality are very slim.

Drink hot water until you start sweating, and keep doing that for 48 hours, to give the body a fighting chance to fight. The viral replication will stop in the body, allowing the same body to then start fighting the virus and clear it.

Now, if this was done, it is my opinion, strictly my opinion and not the protocol being advocated or used by anybody, that the unfortunate and very large number of deaths we are seeing across the world, should cease.

And second, we should have a clear focus on increasing immunity. Do we have immune enhancement programme at all? We don’t.

We should look at immune enhancement by asking patients either to supplement or take these natural foods. I repeat again, Sprouts, fresh lime, black raisins and the seeds of Papaya or Watermelon, because they contribute adequate Zinc.

They can also supplement with many other sources that are readily available, that the doctors will know. But that seems, to me, to be the way to go.

It is so sad what we now do. We wait for the testing. Why will the patient test after the initial eight to 10 days of incubation. Then when the patient starts manifesting at that time, only with the best become positive. Beyond that, when the body starts fighting, it starts to develop antibodies which later become positive.

That is too late. Because what happens is that, when the body realises that too much of virus replication is happening in the lungs, the body will try to shut it down by releasing what is called a Cytokine Storm.

Though this is a little bit complicated to explain, it is basically a situation in which the human body, in response to an infection or perception of foreign matter, starts to attack its own cells and tissues, instead of the foreign body it is supposed to be fighting, which in this case is the virus.

Scientists trying to manage the massive cell deaths, being caused by the Cytokine Storm, are discovering that by the time they get a handle around the effect of the Cytokine Storm, the lungs are so much destroyed. The treatment that I am advocating is in the initial 48 hours.

My feeling and opinion, is that if it is done, the large, terrible epidemic of deaths which we are witnessing the world over, can be prevented.

Now, what exactly is my take on this? My position is that if by doing this, in the start itself, if they have a premonition or a broad spectrum of symptoms of slight fever, body aches or sore throat, and they start this hot water drinking, not a single death should happen. If it happens, it means my opinion is wrong and I will retract my advocacy.

We have just heard that today, the government has given permission to one of the hospitals to use the plasma of those already infected and recovered or have already been cured. What is your take on that?

It  again reverts to what I had earlier advocated. Why do we take the plasma of patients who are cured? Why are they getting cured? It is because their immune system is good.

Today, we feel that those more susceptible to COVID-19, are the ones who have a co-morbid conditions like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

But what is the main problem in them? A decreased immunity. So, my argument is, instead of waiting for an illness and instead of all this, why don’t we increase the immunity?

If the immune system is vastly enhanced, the susceptibility which may lead to death, should not happen. So what are we doing now?

A patient who has recovered, means he has got a good immune system and we take the blood of that patient, provided it is compatible, then we extract  the serum and then inject to those who are suffering.

That is a good idea. But by that time it may already be too late, and only God can help. I wish that by the divine intervention, patients will survive. Now there have been patients who have been cured by this technique.

I know that in 1890 when that Diphtheria came, and there were no antibiotics in the world at that time, these techniques were used in many patients and many patients were saved. What do you say about that?

That is true because they were applying the same principle of an enhanced immunity. There are some people whose immune system is good, either because of their dietary pattern or they have looked into it. And therefore, as a consequence of enhanced immunity, they are able to fight it.

Do you think that this therapy can be used also as a prophylactic, for those who do not have the disease right now. Should they be given this?

I certainly would not advise this or advocate this as a prophylactic because my advocacy is only to enhance the natural immune system of the human body by giving what the body requires to fight it.

I repeat again, what are the natural ingredients, Amino Acids, Iron, Vitamin C, Zinc. If a person has adequate of these, his natural immunity will be far superior, instead of falling back to plasma therapy. No, I would not agree with that as a prophylactic, but for the treatment.

But, for the treatment, let’s see, because it is going to start from today, hopefully. And let’s see what will be the results.

Because we have had patients who have recovered, it is logical because we have taken the source serum from a patient who has recovered, which means he’s got a good immune system and giving it to patients who do not have the requisite immune system. So, perhaps because many patients have recovered by this, maybe they will respond.

Now, there is one take I will like to clarify. It is this huge phenomenon of Hydroxychloroquine. Everywhere Hydroxychloroquine is  being advocated as a treatment and why we are we not taking it as a prophylactic or for the treatment. What is your take on this?

I was the first one who read the original report by the eminent immunologist Franck Touret of France. The moment I saw that report, I advocated to everybody to take Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin.

But we failed to realise one terrible thing, that concurrently, jointly, they have an effect on the heart’s conductive system and, as a consequence, cause conductive block or Eurhythmia or death.

As you know, recently, about two weeks back, a doctor was taking it as a prophylactic, had a heart arrest and died. There are several doctors who have had heart trouble or even death because of Chloroquine. Now, how can we prevent that from happening?

It is a conductive block. And therefore, earlier research reveals that while taking Hydroxychloroquine, you must also supplement with Omega 3.

To a large extent, Omega 3 will protect the conductive mechanism and prevent this terrible fatality, which happens as a consequence of us trying to protect ourselves from this disease by this drug.

So anybody taking HydroxyChloroquine must have a prophylactic or an initial Heart BCG easily showing that the cutie interval  is not less than 225mm.

It should  not be less than 225. If it is so, it is highly risky for the individual to take the drug. Second, if they are taking it, they must also take Omega 3 tablets, in which case, to a large extent, I believe they will be protected.

Doctor, you mentioned about Azithromycin along with Dar Hijau Toxic Little queen. If you will take only the HydroxyChloroquine. Then what are we doing?

!is now taken by many doctors and health workers primarily as a prophylactic. Why did they add Azithromycin? Because Azithromycin has an immediate action on the lungs.

Now, as you know, the most common complication of the Coronavirus is lung infection and pathological developments.

Because Azithromycin is active there, it is also added. But there is a little bit of caution, I would like to advise as Azithromycin has caused agranulocytosis in a few patients  and they died as a consequence of the use of Azithromycin.