Covid-19: Madagascar in the middle of the second wave of the pandemic
Screening for Covid-19 at the Andohatapenaka medical center in Antananarivo, July 20, 2020. AFP - RIJASOLO
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
For the past two weeks, a year after the arrival of Covid-19 in Madagascar, the country has been experiencing the second wave of the epidemic.
But the government is not taking a position on the vaccine and the Covax operation, preferring to rely on Covid-organics, the artemisia-based remedy launched by Andry Rajoelina a year ago.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo,
Laure Verneau
The situation is worse than last year at the same time.
The Big Island is experiencing an increase in severe cases requiring oxygenation.
This is what doctors say in hospitals in several cities across the country.
"
We are overwhelmed by severe cases of coronavirus,
" said Willy René is a specialist doctor at Androva hospital in Mahajunga, on the west coast.
His hospital, he warns, will soon run out of oxygen.
For his part, the deputy Roland Ratsiraka of the city of Tamatave on the east coast has been sounding the alarm for a month.
He describes understaffed caregivers and faulty equipment.
"
No decision taken
"
However, Madagascar's position on the vaccine is not moving.
The country has yet to apply for the Covax facility.
"
Madagascar carefully observes the evolution of vaccination campaigns around the world,"
explains Lova Hasinirina, the director of the presidency's cabinet.
We haven't made a decision on this yet, but we're not against the vaccine.
The priority of the State is to save lives and provide responses adapted to the situation in Madagascar.
"
Lova Hasinirina also recalls that “
the AstraZeneca vaccine has been suspended from use in certain European countries because significant side effects have appeared.
"
Petition for vaccine access
For the moment, the government prefers to encourage the population to take Tambavy CVO and CVO Plus, respectively an herbal tea from artemisia annua and herbal capsules to strengthen immunity.
For the past two weeks however, a petition addressed to the Minister of Health and the President of the Republic Andry Rajoelina has been circulating online to request access to the anti-Covid-19 vaccine for Malagasy people and residents of the Big Island.
The country currently has 21,826 coronavirus cases and 337 deaths.
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To read also: Covid-19 in Madagascar: civil society calls on the authorities on vaccines
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