The 110-bed Isolation Center at Mobolaji Johnoson, Stadium, Onikan, Lagos Island, constructed by the Lagos State Government and Guaranty Trust Bank, unveiled on Saturday, March 28, 2020.Nigerians were treated to at least two ‘comic’ dramas during the week in the ongoing battle by authorities to check the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The dramas depicted a subtle war the government may soon have to contend with: stigma.
A few days ago, Channels TV showed a footage of a traumatised middle-aged man, standing in front of a medical facility for infectious diseases, threatening to evacuate his wife, whom he claimed had been diagnosed with COVID-19.The visibly angry man, who claimed nurses at the facility were reluctant to attend to the patient, threatened to take his wife forcefully from the centre.
When the HIV/AIDS pandemic first broke out in parts of the world, stigma was one battle many nations, including Nigeria, had to contend with. But, nowadays, with appropriate legislation and orientation, the pall of stigma has substantially reduced over persons living with the ailment. Many have now publicly come out to reveal their status.
Some prominent persons who had taken the bold step in recent weeks include a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who disclosed his son’s status; the President’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amongst others.Meanwhile, global body, UNICEF, has already commenced an online campaign to stem the tide of stigma, as the pandemic continues to rage unabated. It also gave tips on how governments can battle stigma.
“One of the major things that trigger stigmatisation is ignorance, when people are not knowledgeable. Stigmatisation is more horrible if it is coming from someone from a higher status,” he adds. “Just like we are seeing in HIV/AIDS cases in Nigeria, it will be more harder to contain the spread of COVID-19 if people are afraid of how they would be treated when they come forward for test, including the fear of dying in the isolation centers due to lack of faith in our health system,” she said.
Hope there are people in there
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