From frying pan to fire as Ghanaians cured of COVID-19 battle stigmatization

Those who have been cured of COVID-19 and the subsequent battle against stigmatization reports are becoming a new headache for those who have recovered in Ghana. Family members of infected persons have lost friends, neighbours fear them and call them names because of COVID-19, although they themselves do not have the disease and their family members have been cured.

Children, the youth and aged in homes where COVID-19 cases have been recorded, are going through a time of neglect when we should be thanking God for their lives. This explains why the Ghana Health Service from the onset has made it clear, it will not put faces on cases.

When family members go to town, they say people run away from them. Their immediate surroundings in the community and residence have become ghost towns as no one comes near the area.

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People across the world including Europe who have been cured, or have family members who are cured have been stigmatized. This is the challenge the cured and their families are going through according to the report aired on Joynews.

Those who have recovered from COVID-19 now battle stigmatization in Ghana and this developing trend is worrying. The need to demystify cured persons and help integrate them into society is key. Those within society who are stigmatizing cured persons can not say they are taking precautionary action against the disease while stressing others.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) information via text messaging that families of affected persons need social support, that people should put a stop to the ongoing stigmatization because it can lead to depression and death are worth commending.

They have also called on all to stop the COVID-19 name-calling and rather spread concern and love. This is the way to go.

We at newsghana24.com believe that the health service tips on stigmatization need to be converted into music, visuals and videos in all major local languages to drive home this important information before we start experiencing the negative impact of the stigmatization that HIV/AIDS patients suffered for long.

We call on Ghanaians, musicians, artists, the media houses to take up this responsibility. Let us fight the double-edged challenge of stigma and COVID-19.

You may call this “healthy social distancing”, a safety precaution, but it amounts to stigmatization for COVID-19 cured persons based on how you react and relate to them.

As we record good results of persons testing negative after the treatment, it is equally important that we educate Ghanaians that everything is wrong with stigmatization.

Stop COVID-19 Stigmatization now!

Source: NewsGhana24.com