STOP STIGMATISATION

ALL citizens must hold together and desist from stigmatising Covid-19 patients and asymptomatic individuals as the trend is retrogressive in the fight against the pandemic.

Zambians must give moral, spiritual and other forms of support to individuals who have recovered from the disease instead of running away from them because such an act amounts to stigmatisation.

Reports abound about unsympathetic individuals pouring scorn and mocking people who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in many areas.

Nakonde District Commissioner, Field Simwinga, experienced stigmatisation as some people kept away from him and his family when he left an isolation centre after recovering.

Some parents advised their children to keep away from his family members who had just gone through treatment and care.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dora Siliya, received a flurry of attacks when she came out in the open to announce that she had tested positive of corona virus.

Individuals, including women took to social media accusing the minister of lying about her status while others rejoiced about the unfortunate situation.

One would have thought that the women would rise up and defend their female colleague, but nay, they were part of social media hooliganism.

There was dead silence from women’s organisations that pretend to advocate for the rights of women in the country.

Mocking reached a crescendo a few days later when Health Minister, Chitalu Chilufya, also tested positive.

A number of people, including political foes took it out on him and celebrated his positive status and subsequent self-isolation.

There were a myriad of negative opinions about the Health Minister, who should have naturally received sympathy and accolades for having been in the fore- front disseminating information about preventive measures.

Certainly, there are more incidences of mocking of ordinary citizens going unreported in townships, work places and other locations.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Services and other Government wings ought to be proactive and check stigmatisation and other excesses in work places on workers who have once suffered from coronavirus.

Additionally, the civil society should equally get heavily involved in fighting discrimination against Covid-19 victims.

Evidently, information dissemination is concentrated on preventive measures and statistics of infections and recoveries, leaving an information gap on the imperative need to fight discrimination.

Just as some sections of society has observed, it is “unZambian” to mock a sick person or anyone who experienced a sickness.

From a Christian stand-point, Zambians ought to bear for one another and encourage the weak as opposed to mocking them.

The prophet Jeremiah declared that God brings healing and states in Chapter 33:6 that, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

Likewise, citizens must not turn the tide but go along with the Biblical teachings and encourage the weak, sick and the weary.

All Christians have a moral and spiritual obligation to encourage the sick and in this case, it is important to pray for Jehovah Rapha’s hand of healing upon all Covid-19 afflicted persons.

Mocking the sick does not come from God, but has its roots elsewhere; it must be avoided at all costs.