Covid-19: Togo decides to keep using chloroquine to treat patients despite the controversy surrounding its efficiency

Health

Friday, 29 May 2020 13:13

Covid-19: Togo decides to keep using chloroquine to treat patients despite the controversy surrounding its efficiency

(Togo First) - Togo will keep using Chloroquine in the Covid-19 treatment. This was disclosed last Wednesday by the national coordination team for the Covid-19 response.

The announcement was made amid a controversy that arose following the publication of a study that claims the molecule is inefficient and even increases the chances of dying from the disease.

The study, published in The Lancet has caused the WHO to stop clinical trials on Chloroquine. In Togo however, authorities prefer not to rush into conclusions. According to the head of the Covid-19 response coordination team, Col. Djibril Mohaman: “First, there is selection and interpretation bias.”

Other potential factors responsible for higher mortality rate in Chloroquine-treated group

While it is true that more patients treated with Chloroquine have died than those treated without, other possible factors might be responsible for the higher mortality rate, Mohaman said. Among these is the age of patients, medical history (obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, etc.). Some patients needed more oxygen as well (20% in the group treated with Chloroquine and 7% in the other group).

“We have been taking Chloroquine for long and are very aware of its secondary effects. We will, therefore, continue using it here since we have nothing to lose.”

To date, Togo has confirmed 395 Covid-19 cases. Out of them, 183 have recovered and 13 deceased.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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