COVID-19: Bolsonaro bets 'miraculous cure' hydroxychloroquine can save Brazil - and his life

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has gone all in on hydroxychloroquine to help his coronavirus-ravaged country beat COVID-19. He has pushed his government to make the malaria drug widely available and encouraged Brazilians to take it, both to prevent the disease and to treat it.

A forceful critic of stay-at-home measures, Bolsonaro, 65, has largely shunned masks and derided the coronavirus as a"little flu." Instead, he has placed his faith in hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, turning them into the centrepiece of his government's virus-beating playbook. Under his watch, the ministry has broadened access to the drugs, and public sector doctors are now allowed to prescribe them for almost anyone who has tested positive for the coronavirus, not just the sickest patients. They can even be used by pregnant women and children with certain health conditions.

What emerged was a picture of a leader worried about the crippling effects of lockdowns imposed by governors and mayors across Brazil, and eager for a quick fix to re-open the economy. "That made many people believe that the cure was ready, that it already existed, that you didn't need to worry, that you could just take this medicine, that would solve the problem," Mandetta told Reuters.

"It's a profoundly lamentable situation, and it's no coincidence that we now have more than 60,000 deaths," she said.'MIRACULOUS CURE' Bolsonaro was particularly swayed by Trump's comments, six people said. Bolsonaro had met with the US leader earlier that month at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and several members of the Brazilian entourage returned sick to Brazil.

Brazil's armed forces have used chloroquine to ward off malaria in the nation's jungles for decades, and Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, has put military men in key positions. At least 27 current or former soldiers have recently joined the Health Ministry, replacing experienced public health officials, according to a Reuters tally. Meanwhile, current or former soldiers make up nearly half of Bolsonaro's 23-seat cabinet.

"In practice, lots of doctors are prescribing it," she said. Her hospital was not, she added,"because there is no robust, quality scientific evidence that supports their use."

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Brazil to become testing ground for COVID-19 vaccineBrazil may be struggling in its battle against the coronavirus, but it is on the cutting edge of vaccine development with large-scale trials and ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Brazil's Bolsonaro tests again for COVID-19Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday that he had undergone another test for the novel coronavirus, after local media reported he had ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro says he has tested positive for COVID-19
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Brazil's Bolsonaro vetoes plans to offer COVID-19 support to indigenous peopleBrazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday vetoed provisions of a law that obligated the federal government to provide drinking water, ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

COVID-19: New Zealand to limit returning citizens as quarantine facilities fill upNew Zealand said on Tuesday its national airline will not take new bookings for three weeks as the country looks to limit the number of citizens ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

India's COVID-19 death toll hits 20,000 as infections surgeIndia's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surpassed 20,000 on Tuesday and case numbers surged as the south Asian nation pushed ahead with ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »