Health Ministry Issues Guide to Address Stigma Associated with COVID-19

On Tuesday, to address the stigma associated with Covid-19, the Union Health Ministry issued an illustrated guide, saying the pandemic is causing a difficult time & that rumours & misinformation create more stress & can "hamper COVID-19 recovery".

Listing the effects of stigma & discrimination, the Union Health Ministry said this can lead people to conceal symptoms, hesitate in seeking medical care & not make them adhere to interventions like home quarantine.

It will also lead to a feeling of emotional isolation, guilt & anxiety, lack of self-esteem & confidence, ostracisation of healthcare workers & others involved in Coronavirus, & management & worsening of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses such as depression.

The Health Ministry said coronavirus cases not being reported, or being reported late, will make the management of the outbreak more difficult.

The document stated that "COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that is causing a stressful & a difficult time for everyone. During this crisis, rumours & misinformation create more stress & can hamper COVID 19 recovery".

Although COVID-19 is highly contagious, the ministry said people can protect themselves by following preventive measures such as physical distancing, washing hands frequently & wearing a face cover & mask.

The document states, "Despite precautions, if a person contracts COVID-19, it is not his/her fault. Anyone is susceptible to contracting the disease, no one needs to be blamed".

The guide states that the patients & their families need support & cooperation, & those who have recovered from the disease should be celebrated as "winners". They don't have the virus & there is no risk of transmission, the minister stressed.

The ministry listed do's & don'ts according to which one should be appreciative & supportive of the efforts made by frontline workers, & share positive stories of those who have recovered from coronavirus.

The list of dont's asks people to refrain from spreading misinformation, against labelling any individual, group or area for spread of infection, & not spreading the name, identity, locality of persons affected or under quarantine.

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