Without access to efficient antiviral medications, North Korea is struggling to contain the spread of Covid among an unvaccinated populace.
To try to protect itself from the epidemic, the nation locked its borders in the early 2020s.
Up until now, its leadership has disregarded outside medical assistance.
Additionally, traditional therapies for the condition known as "fever" have been advised by official media.
hot beverages
A willow-leaf beverage and ginger or honeysuckle tea were among the cures suggested by the ruling-party publication Rodong Simnun for people who weren't gravely ill.
When patients are losing more fluid than usual, hot liquids might help hydrate them and alleviate certain Covid symptoms, including a sore throat or cough.
Willow leaf and ginger both lessen pain and inflammation.
However, they do not act as a cure for the virus itself.
salted water
A couple who suggested gargling with salt water morning and night were recently profiled by state media.
According to the state news agency, "thousands of tonnes" of salt had been sent to Pyongyang to create a "antiseptic solution."
According to some research, using salt water for nasal rinses and gargling can help fight cold-causing viruses.
However, there is not much proof that they do so.
A research discovered that mouthwash might eradicate the virus in a test tube.
However, there isn't strong evidence that it benefits people.
Gargling only targets one site of entry because most cases of covid are brought on by breathing microscopic droplets of air through the nose as well as the mouth.
Once inside, the virus multiplies and penetrates far into the organs, where gargling will do little to stop it.
Antibiotics and painkillers
Ibuprofen and other painkillers, as well as amoxicillin and other medicines, have been recommended to patients on state television.
In addition to lowering a fever, ibuprofen (and paracetamol) can also relieve headache and sore throat symptoms.
However, they won't get rid of the infection or stop it from spreading.
Antibiotics are not advised because they are intended for bacterial illnesses only.
Additionally, overusing antibiotics puts organisms at danger of becoming resistant to them.
According to laboratory study, Covid and other viruses may spread more slowly.
But in the actual world, these have not been imitated.
A research on the antibiotic azithromycin also revealed that it had negligible or no effect. To avoid hospitalisation in Covid patients, the following medications are approved:
the antiviral medications Paxlovid, Molnupiravir, and Remdesivir
antibodies used in immune system imitative therapy
However, their efficacy varies.
system of health
The North Korean government has set up a free medical care system that includes everything from basic services at the village level to specialised care in government facilities (usually in urban centres).
However, sanctions and severe weather like droughts have caused the economy to shrink recently.
The country's borders being closed and tight lockdown measures having an adverse effect.
The health system is reported to be particularly inadequate outside of Pyongyang due to staffing, medication, and equipment shortages.
The World Health Organization's standards for good practise are not met by all pharmaceutical, vaccine, and medical device manufacturing facilities, according to a study submitted to the UN last year.
Many North Koreans who fled to South Korea have said that only privileged members of the governing party were given access to medical care and pharmaceuticals, or that they had to pay for their prescriptions.
However, according to official media, output is now rising.
Foreign assistance
Under Covax, the international vaccine-sharing programme, North Korea apparently rejected additional offers in addition to three million Chinese-made doses last year.
According to South Korea, its offer of vaccinations, medical supplies, and staff has not received a response.