There is no basis to stigmatize coronavirus patients, suspects - Pius Hadzide

Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide has questioned the rationale behind stigmatizing patients or suspected infected persons of the Coronavirus disease.

Mr. Hadzide while condemning the practice called on the general public to avoid stigmatizing persons suspected to have been infected with the novel coronavirus disease, adding that contracting the disease does not in any way suppose an immoral impact of a negative behavior.

“Stigmatizing and condemning somebody infected with the coronavirus as if they were no more human will not help us. There is nothing about this disease for which we have to stigmatize anybody,” said Mr. Hadzide. “It [covid-19]is not necessarily a negative behavioural impact contracted as a result of any bad lifestyle.”

He made the call when he donated 20 veronica buckets, tissues, 30 cartons of hand sanitizers, carbonated soap and 40 packs of minerals to support the NPP parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, Mr. Paul Asare Ansah’s coronavirus campaign in the Asuogyaman district.

He said the high recovery rate should serve as enough relief to ward off any fears against the disease and cited top international figures and celebrities who have openly declared their status to reiterate the position that there was nothing about the disease to stigmatize anybody for.

A short ceremony to present the items was held at Mr. Ansah’s Aboasa residence in the presence of some party executives and coordinators.

Describing himself as a son of Asuogyaman, Mr. Hadzide said the items were his contribution to support the NPP parliamentary candidate’s efforts at battling the coronavirus in the constituency.

The Deputy Information Minister was convinced that the timely interventions put in place by the “caring and proactive” President, Nana Akufo-Addo such as the tracing, testing and treating policy averted a possible escalation of the pandemic, adding that the public need not panic but show concern.

Mr. Hadzide in congratulating the NPP parliamentary candidate said it was Mr. Ansah’s destiny to win the 2020 parliamentary election and urged the rank and file of the party in the constituency to support his cause.

He lauded Mr. Ansah’s efforts at combating the virus in the Asuogyaman district through various interventions and described the parliamentary candidate as having qualities of a parliamentary candidate.

Paul AsareAnsah, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Transportation his part said the Deputy Information Minister’s gesture portrayed him as a selfless individual and expressed his deep appreciation to him, praising his contribution towards combating the covid19 in Asuogyaman.

Describing the President’s efforts to curb the coronavirus menace as “bold and decisive,” Mr. Ansah rallied support for the country’s leader, adding that President Akufo-Addo had already secured $1b in funding to fight the pandemic and support the economy.

He called on all indigenes of Asuogyaman in government and other parts of the world to contribute their widow’s mite to curb the pandemic.

Enumerating a number of interventions he has taken to curb the pandemic, the NPP parliamentary candidate said he has already distributed food items to 1100 persons with disabilities and provided financial support for abolo sellers.

The former Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority further demonstrated his philanthropic qualities when he presented 600 bags of rice, 600 litres of cooking oil and 600 crates of eggs to abolo sellers in the Asuogyaman district.

The donation was to provide some relief for them in the wake of low sales in recent times as a result of the pandemic.

Underscoring other efforts embarked on to deal with the pandemic, Mr. Ansah disclosed that he has personally ensured that the public adhered to the social distancing protocol by intervening in crowded situations.