WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Health Doroty Pietersz-Janga has promoted the use of the controversial Ivermectin against COVID-19 in a TV interview. The minister claimed that it has been shown that good results have been achieved in a certain number of milligrams. If the drug were to have an effect, such high doses are needed that it poses other serious health risks, scientific research has shown.
Minister Pietersz-Janga, who is known that she is not a convinced supporter of vaccination, advised viewers to drink a lot of lime juice, eat garlic and ginger because of the supposed detoxifying effect. She also advocated a healthy lifestyle. “If you eat healthy, get enough sleep, don't consume alcohol, take enough vitamin C, zinc, calcium and magnesium, the virus will not strike hard,” the minister said. Drink lots of small sips of drinks without ice, the minister added.
Medical professionals in Curaçao reacted with shock to the claims of Pietersz-Janga, who is a doctor by profession. Since March 2020, 17,000 corona infections have been registered on the island. This led to hospitalization in 744 cases. So far, 171 people have died from COVID-19. Of the infections admitted in the past period, 94% have not been vaccinated.
According to a medical dictionary, Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasite infestations. In humans, these include head lice, scabies, river blindness, strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, ascariasis, and lymphatic filariasis. In veterinary medicine, the medication is used to prevent and treat heartworm and acariasis, among other indications.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized or approved Ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
The FDA says that available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.
This is the reason why the minister was heavily criticized since as both a medical professional and a government authority she cannot recommend the use of any medication that has not been approved by the proper authorities.
