Cameroonian Medics Comment on the use of Hydroxy Chloroquine

"The Production of Hydroxy Chloroquine is a good step taken by Government" - Dr Nji Peter, Foundation Family Clinic and Maternity Bamenda.

By Francis Ekongang Nzante

Following the commencement of the mass production of Hydroxy Chloroquine in Cameroon as a means to clamp down on the rapidly spreading COVID-19, some Cameroonian Medics have commented on this move by the Government.

This reporter caught up with Dr Nji Peter of the Foundation Medical Clinic and Maternity in Bamenda who was of the opinion that "it was a good step for the Government to have taken to permit the production of Hydroxy Chloroquine." He said it was a drug that had been used for many years in the treatment of Malaria but explained that for a couple of years now its production in Cameroon had been stopped. 

He said interest had been recently reattracted to the drug, "With some knowledge coming especially from the French Doctors, some of whom have already tried Chloroquine maybe combined with Azithromycine in the treatment of COVID-19. We lose nothing if Government can produce and we use it on people who have been tested positive of COVID 19. We lose nothing because if it doesn't kill the Virus, then it isn't going to kill the person either. It is true that Chloroquine has some side effects just like any other drug but if used in the correct dosages it will not harm the patient."

Harping on the possible effectiveness of the drug, Dr. Nji Peter said "From what I know from the Phamacopia of Chloroquine, it actually enhances the entrance of Zinc into cells so I want to believe that if it is taken, it will open even the cells of the COVID-19 for Zinc to go in. Zinc now weakens the cells of this virus so it can enhance the death of the virus."

He further said that we were in a situation in which we didn't know exactly where we were headed.

"Anything that we can try so long as it is not going to kill the individual we should try it. Other countries are trying it with good results.

There is one study that I learnt of a French Doctor who treated 80 positive COVID-19 cases and about 73% of them got healed. So why don't we try it. If we can produce it locally then lets do it and give it to our patients and see whatever results that we will get."

The Medical Doctor stated that immediately the Government came out with the initial 13 measures, he started implementing them at the Foundation Family Clinic and Maternity in Bamenda. "We made sure that there was a running tap so that when patients came in they had to wash their hands.  After washing their hands, they use hand sanitizers before coming into the clinic.

We equally try as much as possible to space them out just keeping about three persons per bench. We've been continuing with this. When I came here this morning, I threatened to send away some patients who were not putting on masks. We cannot be here doing our best and somebody comes in with the virus from outside."

Dr Nji Peter said they were doing what the Ministry of Public Health and WHO had instructed such as Social Distancing among other things to contribute in thier own little way in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

We have a phrase in Cameroon that "l'impossible n'est pas Camerounais". I advice Cameroonians to simply follow the instructions given by the Government and the World Health Organisation WHO. Prevention is better than cure and now we don't even have a cure. Our habits have to change. Its a necessity so lets do it" Dr Nji insisted.

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