Doctors Approach Government Over “Game-Changing” Covid-19 Drug
Munashe Mukahlera
A group of medical practitioners in Zimbabwe has approached government seeking permission to use Ivermectin and Nanosilver as treatment for Covid-19.
In a letter to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the College of Primary Care Physicians of Zimbabwe said a combination of the two drugs was effective in treating Covid-19 patients.
The doctors said the two drugs were safe for patients and did not have adverse side effects.
Researchers at Oxford University are planning trials on Ivermectin, while in South Africa doctors have launched an urgent application to use the drug as treatment.
“Since August 2020 we have adopted the use of both Ivermectin and Nano silver solution and have found this combination to be a game changer in terms of the management of our patients,” the doctors said.
“We as GPs can testify to the safety and effectiveness of using Nanosilver,” they added.
The doctors also objected to concerns raised by public health physicians over the use of the two drugs in treating Covid-19.
The Medical and Dental Professions Council of Zimbabwe issued a statement at the weekend warning against the use of Ivermectin, Nanosilver and other “unorthodox therapies” to treat Covid-19.
But the primary care physicians fired back, “Finally, we note with concern the sentiments of our Public Health physicians about the use of Ivermectin and their Press release yesterday.
“We strongly object to this going into the public domain without any consultation with their clinical colleagues who are the ones on the ground actually treating these patients”.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Robert Mudyiradima said Government was yet to receive any communication from the primary care physicians.
He added, “If it is to be used in Zimbabwe, it will be under trial because at the moment it is not yet a recommended drug for Covid-19 treatment.”
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has previously warned against the use of Ivermectin.
