Authorities implored to recommend Ivermectin for treatment of Covid-19

The civil rights organisation AfriForum and the ‘I can make a difference’ group of doctors have sent an urgent letter to various health authorities, imploring them to recommend Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19.

This came in the light of evidence indicating that the next wave of Covid-19 infections had started in South Africa, said AfriForum.

The letter was addressed to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, the Department of Health, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health.

Recent events that prompted this action by the civil organisations were:

• India, the second most populous country in the world, approved Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19 and is seeing a drop in Covid-19 related deaths.
• Zimbabwe approved Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19 and is currently having great success against the pandemic.

“A peer reviewed paper published in The American Journal of Therapeutics recommends that ‘Ivermectin should be globally and systematically deployed in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19’,” said AfriForum in its press statement.

“Numerous epidemiological analyses of regions with Ivermectin distribution campaigns clearly show a reduction in mortality due to Covid-19.”

AfriForum further promoted that Ivermectin reduces viral replication and thereby reduces viral mutation that in turn reduces the risk of mutation getting out of control which will negatively impact the implementation of vaccines.

“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. Well over a year into a global pandemic we are still working to develop effective treatments against Covid-19,” said doctor Naseeba Kathrada, founder of the ‘I can make a difference’ group of doctors.

“What we do know for certain is that it will take years to vaccinate enough of the population to reach effective and safe immunity. In light of this, it is irresponsible to stand by and watch people die from Covid-19 knowing that there is a safe drug that can be added to their treatment protocol.

“The time has come for urgent review, with fresh and unbiased eyes, of the new data that has emerged regarding Ivermectin. The time has come to allow emergency use access of Ivermectin and to make this cheap, safe and effective drug available and accessible to ALL citizens. Let us learn from countries like Zimbabwe. Let us not imitate the West. Let us set an example and quash this third wave in true South African style,” concluded Kathrada.

Barend Uys, head of research at AfriForum said: “The evidence clearly shows that Ivermectin has a critical role to play in the fight against Covid-19. The time to act to stop preventable deaths and the destruction of lives and livelihoods through lockdowns is now. It is time to recommend Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19.”

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