COVID 19 – DISEASE AND STIGMA
The humanity has remarkably changed over the course of last two centuries and the indicators of human well-being have continued to improve at an alarming speed. These indicators are not only regarding the health but also about economic, social, spiritual and educational values. Humans of present era are technically very much advanced and have become the masters of their robotic creation, yet, as long as there are people who are not able to fulfil their basic needs and die from preventable diseases, there is always a room for improvement. The one such room of human understanding that has been unmasked by the current Covid 19 pandemic and needs refinement is of ‘Social stigma and Disease’.
It is a known fact that infectious disease and stigma are hand in gloves with each other and wherever the former goes, the latter follows. A major challenge in dealing with the epidemic of past years like typhoid, Leprosy, HIV and to some extent tuberculosis has largely been a witch hunt hysteria associated with the contact tracing and a deep seated social stigma around affected population. The COVID-19 in 21st century has revived our memory back to the same thinking and has unveiled the pseudo modernization face of all humans. There have been cases where the general public as well as the frontliners like healthcare workers, police etc. based on their report have been discriminated despite their selfless, tireless and relentless efforts for the safety and welfare of community. There have been evidences where the houses of affected people have been stamped ‘Quarantined’, health workers have been attacked by violent mobs and doctors and nurses have spent nights in cars and hotels because neighbours denied their entry within housing societies and communities. It has affected the mental health to such an extent that few affected people have committed suicide and many have gone into deep depression.
As the virus is novel and not much is known about the disease, people are understandably frightened because of fear and anxiety leading to prejudices against people and social isolation. At the heart of it, it is imperative to remember that stigma is not just fed by fear but also by lack of incredible information, awareness and education. The many publications and expert opinions regarding its course, action and management have not only been proven wrong but have also put the medical journals and professionals of highest order to disrepute. The ignorance about an outbreak has allowed the rampant spread of rumours and misinformation regarding the transmission, infectivity and virulence of the disease. There is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and to rise as a community that is empowered both with health literacy and appropriate response in the face of this adversity.
To create such an environment in which the disease and its impact can be discussed and addressed openly, honestly and effectively, both the choice of words and the action at ground level needs to be restructured. Communication is an important tool to support people and avoid fuelling fear and stigma. The language of fear and paranoia needs to be replaced by one of empathy and compassion so that the patients and those at risk do not feel isolated and left out. A simple usage of words like ‘affected’ or ‘acquired’ instead of ‘infected’ or ‘carrier’ and addressing people as ‘recovering from Covid’ rather than labelling them as ‘Covid victims’ will not only have a positive impact but will drive more and more people for screening and testing, thereby making it possible to limit the spread of disease within the community. However, action speaks louder than words and at the ground level it is the duty of every responsible citizen to create awareness and educate people that despite all precautions, if anybody catches the infection, it is not their fault. It must be noted that the condition is curable and most people recover from it. In situation of distress, the patient and the family needs support and co-operation and targeting essential services providers and their families will not only weaken our fight against COVID-19 but will also prove grievously detrimental for the entire nation.
As the people having Covid 19 are increasing exponentially in India, stigma besides the health care challenges will be one of the key obstacles to control this crisis and to prevent the slipping of cases through cracks due to stigma, we need to inform, engage and manage public anxiety, fear and finally this tag of stigmatisation before it gets too late. The state and central governments, citizens, media, key influencers and communities need to come together and work in unison to prevent and stop the negative influence of stigma surrounding people. We need to remember that every one of us is together in this fight against highly infectious virus and this pandemic will be over only if fears and rumours are replaced by facts, proper action and a show of support for one another.
“Stay Indoors, Wear Mask, Distance Yourself, Avoid Spreading fear and panic”
Dr. Pawan Suri ( MBBS, MD, DM, FESC, FSCAI)
Chief Cardiologist, SGL SuperSpeciality Hospital
Jalandhar, Punjab
Email: pawanksuri2000@rediffmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment