COVID-19: WHO issues clarification after Baba Ramdev's claim on Patanjali's Coronil

Amid claims made by Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved about clearance to Coronil by World Health Organisation (WHO), the global health body has issued a clarification that it has not reviewed or certified any traditional medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.

"WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment #COVID19," the WHO said in a tweet on Friday. The WHO, howeverm did not name Patanjali's Coronil.

.@WHO has not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment #COVID19.

— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) February 19, 2021

The WHO issued the clarification after Yoga Guru Ramdev who owns Patanjali claimed that Coronil has received the nod from the Indian government and the WHO. Ramdev also said that 'Coronil' is highly effective in boosting immunity and controlling Covid-19.

"The government has given the green signal after completing the entire scientific research evidence, which is based on the international parameters. The country and the world also agreed, the WHO also agreed and now we have the option to sell 'Coronil' in more than 150 countries with scientific evidence," Ramdev told ANI on Friday.

"Covid-19 vaccines may take some time to increase immunity. Those who are not getting vaccines can take Coronil, because there is nothing better than this. Coronil is useful in evidence-based treatment for Covid-19 prevention and very useful for post-Covid complications also," Ramdev added.

On Friday, Baba Ramdev had launched the scientific research papers on Coronil in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. No other information was provided about the research papers though. 

Speaking about the medicine, Ramdev said that all the parameters required for it have been followed. Many people raised questions on Coronil and looked at it with suspicion. Ramdev further said that the research on Coronil has been made possible by the efforts of scientists at Patanjali Research Institute to fight against coronavirus. This drug attempts to disrupt the functioning of the coronavirus after entering your body.

"Some people make medicines for business, but we have made medicines for treatment and goodwill," said Ramdev. He said, "I want the WHO to have its head office in India after some time."

On this occasion, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that 'no miracle happens without a miracle' He said that continuous research is the need of the hour.