SOUTHERN Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said “tuob” or steam inhalation therapy is not a treatment against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), saying that only vaccines can help kill Sars-CoV-2.

In a virtual presser, SMPC Chief of Medical Professional Staff Dr. Ricardo Audan joined the call of the Department of Health (DOH) and medical groups on discouraging the public from using traditional medicine in treating Covid-19 because there is no scientific evidence to this.

He said that to date, there is no vaccine yet developed available in the market.

“We are dealing here with a virus, it's a dangerous virus. So we really need approved drugs to fight this, a vaccine to fight this. In fact, we have already solidarity trials, it's an international clinical trial for drugs that are being used to treat Covid. Dili ni siya tuob tuob,” Audan said.

He added that the country is participating in the solidarity trial to test the safety and effectiveness of possible therapies in treating the infection.

While Covid-19 has flu-like symptoms and steam therapy may help relieve nasal congestion, he emphasized that it cannot kill the virus. Resorting to practicing unfounded traditional health regimens may only pose adverse health effects and potential harm than cure.

“It can compromise your health so dili tanan nga (not all) traditional treatment is actually good because there are no scientific studies. It can actually burn your skin, it can dehydrate you, and others can give you a headache rather than giving you comfort,” he said.

Tuob made headlines after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued Executive Order No. 17, endorsing the practice of “tuob” as a health regimen. Her order drew wide criticism, especially from the medical community.