'Malaria Drug Won't Stop Deaths' - WHO's Top Scientist Says Hydroxychloroquine Not The Solution

WHO's top scientist declares that it's a proven fact that hydroxychloroquine, which used to treat malaria, is of no use in stopping fatalities for those in hospital due to coronavirus, according to a report in PTI.

But Dr. Soumya Swaminathan added that the drug still had a role in stopping people from catching coronavirus to begin with.

PTI

The role of the drug

Swaminathan went on to say that there was still a gap in determining whether hydroxychloroquine is the key in prevention or minimizing coronavirus' intensity when it affects a body, while talking to the media.

"We don't know that as yet. And we need to complete those large trials and get the data," she said.

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WHO had announced the suspension of hydroxychloroquine as a drug and was trial testing other options for Covid-19.

These include treatments that have been used for Ebola and AIDS, and they are being persisted with at the moment.

Impact of the virus

Coronavirus originated from Wuhan, China in December 2019. As of now it has killed over 456,000 and nearly 86 lakh are affected. WHO had been accused by USA of taking China's side and not warning the world in time to be prepared for the pandemic.

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President Donald Trump had declared that USA was cutting its funding to the UN health organisation, which was not well received by other world leaders.

Coronavirus has affected every walk of life and has held the world hostage for the better part of 2020.

Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isn¡¯t any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Don¡¯t self medicate/stock up and always consult your doctor/medical health professional.