Scientists around the world are trying to develop what is often referred to as a “science-based medicine” to stop the spread of COVID-19. The treatment of COVID-19 is not only a healthcare priority, it is also big business and when money is involved so too are lots of rumours and misinformation about so-called cures.
Since many people rely on what is often referred to as “traditional medicine” for their healthcare needs, rumours and misinformation about how a certain plant can prevent or even cure COVID-19 have also spread like the virus. People may be convinced to waste their money on unproven treatments, may unknowingly take a dangerous herbal mixture, or may risk infecting others in the community by not following preventative measures like mask wearing.
So how can traditional medicine be included in science-based medicine efforts to end this pandemic? Some traditional medicines have already been tested by science-based medicine and proven to reduce symptoms of other diseases. The next step is for some of these proven traditional medicines to undergo science-based medicine testing to see if they can be part of the solution.
It is the role of the journalist to keep the public informed about each step of this complicated process of science-based medicine testing traditional medicine to fight COVID-19.
Wanasayansi duniani kote wanajaribu kuendeleza kile kinachojulikana kama "dawa ya kisayansi" ili kuzuia kuenea kwa COVID-19. Matibabu ya COVID-19 si kipaumbele cha huduma ya afya tu, pia ni biashara kubwa na wakati pesa zinahusika, hivyo pia kuna uvumi mwingi na habari potofu kuhusu madawa ya madawa. "Kwa kuwa watu wengi hutegemea kile kinachoitwa ""dawa ya jadi"" kwa mahitaji yao ya huduma za afya, uvumi na habari zisizo za kweli kuhusu jinsi mmea fulani unaweza kuzuia au hata kutibu COVID-19 pia umeenea kama virusi." Watu wanaweza kushawishiwa kupoteza pesa zao kwa matibabu yasiyo na uthibitisho, wanaweza bila kujua kuchukua mchanganyiko hatari wa mimea, au wanaweza kuhatarisha kuambukiza wengine katika jamii kwa kutofuata hatua za kuzuia kama vile kuvaa kinyago. Kwa hivyo, dawa za jadi zinawezaje kuingizwa katika juhudi za dawa za kisayansi za kumaliza janga hili? Dawa za kitamaduni zimepimwa na dawa za kisayansi na kuthibitika kupunguza dalili za magonjwa mengine. Hatua inayofuata ni kwa baadhi ya dawa hizi za jadi zilizothibitishwa kupitia upimaji wa dawa ya msingi wa sayansi ili kuona ikiwa zinaweza kuwa sehemu ya suluhisho. """Ni jukumu la mwandishi wa habari kuwajulisha umma juu ya kila hatua ya mchakato huu mgumu wa dawa ya kisayansi ya majaribio ya dawa za jadi kupambana na COVID-19."