Two siblings who have recovered from Covid-19 contracted in the line of duty as front liners have launched a campaign against stigmatisation.
Dorcas Owusu Frimpong and Elizabeth Owusu say their decision is informed by widespread discrimination against recovered patients.
The duo, a psychologist and a nursing officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital say their decision is informed by widespread discrimination against recovered patients.
In a household of nine occupants including four children, only none of them tested positive.
Many patients who have recovered from Covid-19 continue to suffer public in Ghana.
Some are even virtually ostracized and banished from their communities and place of work.
Dorcas, a psychologist, and nursing officer, Elizabeth, are among about 20 health workers who tested positive for Coronavirus at KATH.
“You don’t need to stigmatised the person.Covid-19 is not a death sentence ; being positive of Covid-19 is not a death sentence. You can go through it successfully as I have gone through it, ” says Dorcas Owusu.
For her, she was touched by the story of a woman who recovered from Covid-19 in Upper East region only to be faced with stigmatization from the community.
“I watched the woman’s story on Joynews TV and I was touched. I think no one should go through what the woman and her family went through because of Coronavirus,” Dorcas added.
Stigmatisation against Covid-19 patients
Ghana Health Service says stigmatization of Covid-19 patients remains a challenge.
patients who tested positive faced the shock of their lives as they are ostracized or banished from their communities and in some instances, place of work.
Dorcas, an expectant mother, and her sister are encouraged by their scary situation to fight for all victims who are being despised by society.
They have, in one way or the other, suffered had a fair share of the negative attitude even from colleagues at work.
For instance, Elizabeth have had to endure the canker from some of her colleagues at office.
“I heard a whole lot of news; those gossiping, stigmatizing and all that.
Most of them even thought that I brought the condition to the directorate,” Elizabeth Owusu revealed.
Dorcas and Elizabeth are aware of the challenge ahead of them but they are determined to make a positive impact.
With support from relatives, they are reaching out to as many Ghanaians as possible to change the mindset about Coronavirus.
” I know there are good people in Ghana who would be interested in this campaign and they would come onboard to help fund this campaign.”