He told journalists that “garlic, onion, ginger and many other plants can be used effectively in this fight against CoronaVirus” since they boost one’s immunity and emphasized, “Let's get to work.”
The Archbishop’s proposal comes at a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its desire to see more African countries participate in a global study of four potential COVID-19 treatments.
The Central African nation has reported at least 284 cases of COVID-19; six people have died and 10 have recovered from the disease.
Archbishop Kleda has called on specialists in traditional African medicine to make use of the therapeutic wealth of various medicinal plants on the continent to find a way of curing COVID-19 “effectively.”
The Wednesday press briefing gave the Local Ordinary of Douala the opportunity to acknowledge the measures the government of his country had put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“We reiterate the importance, for each and every one, to scrupulously follow the rules prescribed by the Government, in order to block the way to the spread of this pandemic in our country in general, and in our city of Douala in particular,” he said and added, “Each of us must understand that it is time to protect ourselves and our neighbors.”
He went on to outline what the Catholic Church in Douala has been doing saying, “Over the past two weeks, we have carried out a number of actions ranging from raising awareness, through pastoral letters, to prayers for those affected by Coronavirus, as well as for all those who have lost their lives as a result of this pandemic. We are continuing our mission in this movement. Let us remain in prayer for the Lord's protection.”
The Cameroonian Archbishop also disclosed that the decision to suspend the public celebrations of the Eucharist was not an easy one.
“It is a situation that is extremely painful for us. And I can confide to you that I have never suffered so much in my life, to see, from my window, the faithful wandering every day in the courtyard of the Cathedral, without being able to take part in the Mass,” the Archbishop bemoaned.
“Unfortunately, there is no other more effective way to combat the spread of the Virus. Moreover, this measure is a matter of pastoral responsibility and moral duty,” he said and added, “The Coronavirus must not pass through us. We must do everything possible to protect our brothers and sisters. It is, moreover, an application of the law of love which the Lord asks us to practice. Therefore, we have an obligation to protect the lives of the faithful; we must not put their lives in danger.”
