Coronavirus stigma: Drivers fail to pick health workers over fear of contracting disease

Health workers at the Begoro Government hospital in the Fanteakwa District have been stigmatised after the hospital recorded its first positive case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

On April 5, 2020, a 65-year old mango farmer who was admitted at the male ward of the hospital on the reported case of query tuberculosis, later developed dyspnea and fever of about 40 degrees celsius making management of the facility suspicious and took sample of his blood to Noguchi for testing, and proved positive for COVID-19.

Following this development, frontline workers at the Government hospital in the area are in the state of worry as residents in the area are stigmatizing them over possible fear of contracting the virus.

Madam Millicent Annor, deputy director of nursing services at the Begoro Government hospital, narrating their woeful experiences said the level of stigmatization in the community is discouraging some of the health workers from coming to work.

She noted that drivers are denying them access to their cars, food vendors in the community are refusing to sell food to the nurses with few ones who accept to sell also uses polythene bag to wrap their hand before they get hold of their money.

“Even drivers are also refusing to pick us when we need their services due to the fear of contracting the disease. But that’s stigmatization and it is not encouraging us at all to continue with our services,” Madam Annor said.

The exposed staff of the hospital have all been quarantined for observation and testing.

Meanwhile, the male ward has also been closed until further notice for fumigation.

Ghana’s case of the deadly virus as at (21:00GMT) on Sunday April, 19 when filing this report stood at 1,042 with 99 recoveries and 9 deaths.