Jakarta (VNA) –ꦛ Indonesian health authorities are tryingquinine as a possible treatment of COVID-19 while also acquiring other kinds ofmedication touted as promising drugs in some other countries, a senior officialhas said.

Research and Technology Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro on May17 said the Indonesian government has previously bought Avigan andhydroxychloroquine, and is currently in the process to acquire Remdesivir. The country also intends to develop medicines using its ownherbs and biodiversity. One of the candidate treatments being tried is quinine. Quinine, bitter pill made from the bark of the cinchonatree, was originally developed to cure malaria. It has been rarely used asmedicine since its synthetic form named chloroquine was invented asprescription medicine for malaria. Indonesia is conducting clinical trials of varioustreatments that have been applied in other countries, Bambang said. The country reported a total 17,514 confirmed cases of COVID-19infections as of May 17, with 1,148 fatalities. Meanwhile, Singapore on the same day saw 682 new cases,bringing the national tally to 28,038. Most of the cases are work permit holdersresiding in dormitories. The country’s death toll remained at 22. The Philippine Department of Health announced 208 new infectionsand seven deaths on May 17, taking the tally to 12,513 and 824 deaths. As manyas 2,635 people have recovered. At present, Malaysia recorded 6,894 cases and 113 deaths. For its part, Thailand is gradually easing restrictions as thenumber of new cases has seen a downturn. Community malls and department stores reopenedon May 17 after a suspension in March. Three new infections were reported on the day, adding up to3,028 cases of the country, with 56 deaths./.