Unproven herbal medications haunt SL’s vaccination drive

27 September 2021 07:32 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Silence of Health Ministry questioned over these unproven medicines
Health Promotion Bureau in a desperate attempt approaches influencers for help
Singing sensation Yohani, other influencers approached to encourage vaccination campaign
As anti-vax movement expands in SL more Covid ‘cures’ popping up

As the anti-vax movement is gaining momentum in Sri Lanka especially among the youth, senior medical doctors yesterday expressed caution over unproven herbal medications which were popping up on social media claiming to be immune boosters and a cure for COVID-19, luring the youngsters to take it instead of the vaccines.

Doctors in the frontline told Daily Mirror that some claiming to be ayurvedic practitioners and even some medical doctors were now claiming that their medications could help prevent the COVID19 and act as immune boosters to help an infected patient overcome the virus soon.

However none of the medications had undergone a clinical trial and there was no proof to claim that these medications were a cure for the virus.

These claims were now circulating among the youngsters, especially those aged 20 to 29, and many were falling victim to it. The youngsters preferred these herbal preventive medications rather than taking the COVID-19 vaccinations which had caused a concern for health workers as well as hampered Sri Lanka’s impressive vaccination drive.

Senior doctors have questioned that with these so-called unproven herbal medications, it was surprising that the Health Ministry was still silent over the matter, and not initiating a probe.

No medicine could be promoted as a cure for COVID-19 without undergoing the necessary clinical trials, as in the case of the infamous ‘Dhammika Paniya’ which underwent three clinical trials but failed.

Doctors say it is also surprising as to why a probe is not being initiated against these unproven medicines and the most what is being done presently is that these social media pages, which are promoting these medications as a cure for the virus are being flagged and taken down.

With a very low percentage of vaccinations among the 20-29 age group, the Health Promotion Bureau has now approached singing sensation Yohani who has gained international fame and other influencers to launch a campaign in the coming days, encouraging youth to come forward and take the jabs.

The campaign will kick off on social media as well as electronic media, hoping to bring a change in the vaccination drive by encouraging the youth to take the jabs. Doctors have said till a considerable percentage of the population are not vaccinated, it will be difficult for Sri Lanka to return to normalcy.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 11

Selvakumar Monday, 27 September 2021 07:46 AM

It's coronavirus always big trouble for world but in Sri Lanka medical association to control the way slow vaccination

ravin Monday, 27 September 2021 08:10 AM

History tells us what to expect? So-called leaders are the promoters of myth peniya and pot throwing so on and so forth.

coronor Monday, 27 September 2021 08:24 AM

First of all, probe into why Pavithra W. Sudharshani F. the speaker and others gave publicity to unproven syrup and why the health minister threw covered pots into rivers?

Kikazaru Monday, 27 September 2021 08:24 AM

The State Minister and the former health minister need to be held responsible for this. Ah! almost forgot, the Speaker.

Susil Monday, 27 September 2021 08:49 AM

The cabinet itself is pushing these unproven ‘indigenous’ medicines. See the last meeting chaired by Basil on Covid.

fact Monday, 27 September 2021 09:07 AM

hearbal medicine is the best way to boost immunity and it was done for 1000s of years ,india to promoting now Ayush and kabsura kudineer for higher immunity .youth naturally has a good immunity so why to mess up them with chemicals on trial and make them a permanent customer to greedy ? these doctors are a mafia promoting these things for profit and commission from big pharama ,they just care about making money nothing else

Ravi Monday, 27 September 2021 09:25 AM

Vaccine is unproven as well. Look at the COVID deaths in Sri Lanka for the week starting 12 th Aug to 18th Aug, 49% died has been vaccinated and 51% is not vaccinated. This week the numbers are terrible for vaccinated.

SL Monday, 27 September 2021 10:32 AM

so , give a chance to get the approval.so far none of the medicine including vaccination are proven to be affective when it says that we need to have jabs in every 6month.all have pros and cons. you do not allow others to show their capabilities.

Roisin Monday, 27 September 2021 11:43 AM

Fact: please move on. Science has moved on. Just compare the hospitals in the Western countries and the capabilities of their specialists to our healthcare for example.

Dam Monday, 27 September 2021 11:47 AM

Indiginous, Traditional

Dee Monday, 27 September 2021 02:04 PM

From what I gather, they are least bothered about any herbal stuff. They have gathered information of the chinavac- and most have a vision of leaving SL . That's it! As for the local uni students- just force it on them. They ain't gonna pay and study overseas ever!

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Unproven herbal medications haunt SL’s vaccination drive

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