North Korea is fighting Covid in an unvaccinated population without access to efficient antiviral medications.
To protect itself against the epidemic, the government closed its borders in early 2020.
Its authorities have so far turned down medical assistance from outside sources.
Official media has advocated traditional therapies for what is known as “fever”.
Hot beverages
Rodong Simnun, the ruling party’s publication, offered ginger or honeysuckle tea and a willow-leaf drink for people who were not critically unwell.
Hot liquids may help relieve specific Covid symptoms, such as a sore throat or cough, and aid hydration in individuals losing more fluid than usual.
Inflammation and soreness are also relieved by ginger and willow leaf.
However, they are not a cure for the infection.
Saltwater
State media recently profiled a couple who advocated gargling with salt water morning and night.
The state news agency said that “thousands of salt” had been transported to Pyongyang to prepare an “antiseptic solution.”
According to research, gargling and nasal rinses with salt water can help fight viruses that cause colds.
However, there is little evidence that they slow Covid’s spread.
The research discovered that mouthwash might eliminate the virus in the lab.
However, it has not been proven to be effective in people.
Covid is mainly transmitted via breathing minute droplets in the air through the nose and mouth. Therefore, gargling only targets one site of entry.
Once within, the virus multiplies and travels deep into the organs, beyond the reach of any amount of gargling.
Antibiotics and pain relievers
According to state television, patients should take Ibuprofen, amoxicillin, and other medications.
In addition to reducing fevers, Ibuprofen (and paracetamol) relieve symptoms like headaches and sore throats.
However, they will not eliminate the infection or prevent it from spreading.
Antibiotics, intended to treat bacterial infections rather than viruses, are not advised.
Furthermore, administering antibiotics needlessly promotes the development of resistant bacteria.
According to a laboratory study, some may limit the spread of viruses like Covid.
However, none of these has been duplicated in the actual world.
A trial of the antibiotic azithromycin revealed that it did not affect Covid symptoms, hospital admission, or mortality.
There are a few medications that have been authorised to keep persons with Covid out of the hospital:
Paxlovid, molnupiravir, and redeliver are antiviral drugs that imitate the immune system.
However, their efficiency varies.
Weak Healthcare System
North Korea’s health system was established to provide free medical care ranging from essential village services to specialised treatment in government facilities (usually in urban centres).
However, sanctions and harsh weather, like droughts, have caused the economy to shrink in recent years.
The country’s closed borders and tight lockdown measures being implemented would negatively impact.
The health system is particularly inadequate outside of Pyongyang, with workers, drugs, and equipment shortages.
The UN assessment found that “some pharmaceutical, immunisation, and medical-appliance factories do not meet the WHO standard of good practice and do not meet local needs.”
Many North Korean defectors to South Korea have complained about paying for medication or having treatment and pharmaceuticals restricted to governing party members.
However, state media reports that production is now up.
International assistance
Under Covax, the global vaccine-sharing arrangement, North Korea refused three million Chinese-made doses last year and other offers.
South Korea claims that its offer of vaccinations, medical supplies, and workforce has received no response.
North Korea has deployed three aircraft to Shenyang to gather medical supplies.
The Chinese foreign ministry stated that they did not contain “anti-pandemic materials” but that it was “willing to assist with North Korea in the battle against the coronavirus.”
Read More – North Korea fears over a million Covid cases
