Stigmatisation of persons infected with Coronavirus

NEWS COMMENTARY ON STIGMATIZATION OF PERSONS INFESTED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS.

As the world is on the battle front fiercely and relentlessly combating the novel Covid-19 pandemic, individuals infected with the virus have to jostle and be confronted with yet another relatively more devastating condition, stigmatization. ln his last COVID-19 broadcast, President Akufo-Addo reiterated his call for the nation to demonstrate utmost compassion towards infected persons and eschew stigmatising them and their family members. Stigmatisation in the layman’s language refers to discriminatory actions or inactions at victims of the pandemic, their immediate households as well as their extended families. With the outbreak of the pandemic, any single symptom —be it a harmless cough or sneeze, mild headache or occasional shortening of breath —can be misconstrued as having contracted the disease.

Until today, close relatives and friends, colleagues and compatriots who we entrusted so much loyalty and confidence, hailed and held to the high heavens when they returned from abroad, are now suspects of COVID-19, and are rejected and alienated. Love ones fleeing from the relatively more urbanised areas of the country, like Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua and other hotspots of the pandemic to less sophisticated peri-urban peaceful havens, suffer so much discrimination. To make an already complex situation more complicated, even people who have been tested twice and have shown negative results still suffer the brunt of stigmatisation. Even the double assurance of a second test is not enough for the people involved in the stigmatisation to embrace their compatriots.

It is the fear of many, including the President of the Republic that if drastic action is not taken to arrest this obnoxious and despicable behaviour, the nation may arrive at a point where stigmatisation may claim more lives than the disease itself. ln some households, close relatives have deserted victims whilst some neighbors within close radius have either sought refuge or asylum at places they perceive as COVID-19 free. This behaviour which is rapidly emerging as a subculture must stop. This is the period where the test of the Ghanaian tradition of hospitality is on trial. This is the time virtues of compassion, fellow feeling, sacrifice, the sense of belonging are sincerely and honestly being tried.

Abandoning our loved ones at this critical and crucial period in our history should not be the path to pursue. This is the time for all faith based organisations like the churches and Mosques to utilise their pulpits and altars for awareness creation in disseminating vital information with the deliberate and conscious attempt to change mindsets, beliefs and perceptions of people engaging in stigmatisation.

Most of these stigmatised victims undergo severe and extreme stress and frustration. In order to reduce potential post-traumatic stress disorder among infected and affected persons we urge experts in the areas of psychology and psychiatry to intervene swiftly. lt is with this action and others which could completely and convincingly help us to deal a deadly and final blow to the Covid-19 disease. Let’s all come on board to overcome this common enemy. Stop the stigma. Observe the hygienic measures and stay alive.

BY ALFRED HUGHES, A JOURNALIST.