Tale of 2 Ustaz Covid-Bomoh 'Gostarn'

'Bomoh' backs out after Covid-19 treatment ad goes viral

A bomoh (shaman) has backed out from offering services to treat Covid-19 patients after an advertisement he put up went viral on social media.

The advertisement had listed two traditional medicine practitioner named "Dor" and "Mat" as providing the service, together with their contact numbers.

When contacted, Dor, who only wanted to be known as "Ustaz Dor", said he and his colleague had initially planned to offer the traditional healing service.

"I admit the plan to treat Covid-19 patients but I'm cancelling it as it contradicts modern medicine," he said.

He added that there was public scepticism over the use of traditional treatment for Covid-19.

"I apologise for cancelling the treatment of Covid-19 patients. I have asked everyone to stop circulating (the advertisement) to the public."

The resident of Pasir Tumboh, Bakok in Kelantan, said he had received some 50 calls after the advertisement went viral.

"We cancelled the treatment after thinking about the risk of infection to our family and ourselves.

"I ask that they seek treatment at clinics or hospitals," he added.

Kelantan Health Department director Dr Zaini Hussin

Meanwhile, Kelantan Health Department director Dr Zaini Hussin urged the public not to be influenced by unscientific Covid-19 treatments.

Zaini said scientific research showed Covid-19 was caused by the Sars-Cov-2 virus.

"There is already verified information (on the coronavirus) so I hope the public will get treatment at clinics and hospitals," he told Malaysiakini.