The ECOWAS Commission has dismissed reports that its health institution, West Africa Health Organization had ordered medicine developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research, Madagascar, for COVID-19 treatment.

The regional body said it was aware that several claims of COVID-19 cures had been made in different parts of the world but added that it could endorse products that have been shown to be effective through scientific study.

The ECOWAS Commission in a statement says WAHO is collaborating with relevant partners including the World Health Organization, Africa Centres for Disease Control as well as national, regional, and international research consortia to promote the scientific search for a cure.