LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivians desperate to avoid or cure COVID-19 drink chlorine dioxide, which the Senate approved as a remedy even when the country’s Ministry of Fitness says other people deserve to stay away.
Chlorine dioxide is a bleach-like substance that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that consumers can jeopardize physical fitness and deserve not to be purchased or as medical treatment.
But in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba, where the provincial government approved its use, some buyers said they believe the substance helps.
“I heard on the news that they were promoting chlorine dioxide at the pharmacy. My wisdom took it, one for prevention and one for healing. It’s smart for them,” Ocanha said outdoors at a pharmacy.
Others said they were on the recommendation they had been given.
“As always, the government says, “Go to your doctor.” What doctor? The deficient have no doctor,” Dionisio Flores said.
Bolivia has shown 60991 cases of coronavirus in the country, of which 2,218 have been fatal.
Dr. René Sahonero, an adviser to the Ministry of Health, said the ministry had strongly warned that they were opposing chlorine dioxide for COVID-19.
“We have already drafted a solution that says that this substance is approved, that it is compatible with human intake and that it can have serious consequences,” Sahonero said, adding that cases of chlorine dioxide poisoning have been reported.
Despite the ministry’s warning, the country’s Senate approved a bill last week approving the use of chlorine dioxide to save it and treat the coronavirus. This will have to pass the declining space and a veto challenge before adjusting the law.
Reporting through Monica Machicao, written through Hugh Bronstein, edited through Rosalba O’Brien
All quotes were delayed for at least 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of operations and delays.
© 2020 Reuters. All rights are reserved.