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Iraqis seek herbal remedies amid feared second coronavirus wave
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Iraqis, like most people living in countries gripped by poverty and fragile health systems, have looked on with fear and trepidation at the experience of powerhouse economies in Western countries, some of whom have crumbled while attempting to fight the virus.
The sense of panic is heightened by the existence of questionable medicines in Iraqi pharmacies, a consequence of rampant corruption and poor governance in state institutions, including the ministry of health, according to Sabah Al-Janabi, a secondary school teacher, who spoke to The New Arab.
"Some Attaaris claims that their herbal preparations maintain health, strengthen the immune system and protect against coronavirus. Others advise on taking specific botanics, but I’m not convinced on how effective they are,” Al-Janabi said.
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The novel coronavirus has infected 7,387 in Iraq, where 235 people have already died from the virus.
Several districts in Baghdad have been placed in full lockdown for two weeks after Iraqi authorities warned that the health systems could not handle a rise in coronavirus cases.
While herbal remedies cannot replace the treatment offered by modern medicine, access to the latter may prove harder for Iraqis in the days ahead.
The relaxation in measures during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan has likely resulted in a surge of cases, prompting fears that a second wave might be coming, according to The National.
On Monday, the World Health Organisation welcomed the Iraqi government’s decision to extend the lockdown amid the spike in Covid-19 infections.
The nationwide curfew will now last until June 6, 2020, with only supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies allowed to remain open.
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