An education minister in one of the poorest countries in the world has been dismissed after a plan to order $ 2 million in lollipops for schoolchildren.

Madagascar’s education minister, Rijasoa Andriamanana, ordered lollipops to help mask the “bitter” flavors of a “still untested” herbal remedy for coronavirus. BBC. The plan was canceled and launched after appeals by Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina.

Rajoelina challenges the unproven tonic, called Covid-Organics, as a coronavirus treatment in a country with 1000 virus cases and seven COVID-related deaths.

Despite the presidential approval, the Madagascar National Medical Academy has questioned the artemisya-based tonic, arguing that it could harm people who took it.

President Rajoelina told the French news station France 24, claiming that the criticism of the drink by Western institutions was based on racism, “If there is a European country that has really discovered this remedy, is there so much doubt? I do not think so. “

By world Bank Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world, living 75% of the population with less than $ 1.90 a day.