By AFP More by this AuthorCracks are appearing in Madagascar's government after its health minister requested international help to cope with a surge in Covid-19 cases despite an official campaign to promote a touted fix for the virus. In a letter addressed Monday to donors, Health Minister Ahmad Ahmad made an "urgent appeal" to development agencies. "Over the past weeks, the Covid-19 epidemic has evolved in a very critical way in Madagascar with notable flare-ups in certain regions, particularly in Antananarivo," it said. President Rajoelina has been promoting an infusion derived from artemisia -- a plant with proven anti-malarial properties -- as a homegrown cure for Covid-19. "Positive Covid-19 cases did not take (Covid-Organics) or only took it sporadically, without following the prescribed dosage," said official documents sent to AFP on Tuesday.

Source: Daily Nation July 22, 2020 15:33 UTC