GOVERNMENT has urged Zambians not to stigmatise suspected COVID-19 patients or their relatives because doing so will discourage others from seeking treatment. Ministry of Health spokesperson Abel Kabalo said coronavirus can affect anyone and spreads fast if not quickly detected and prevented.

Dr Kabalo said in an interview yesterday that it is wrong for anyone to stigmatise those infected with the disease or their relatives. He said this in response to some reports that family members of one of the victims who succumbed to COVID-19 are allegedly being discriminated against. “What we are encouraging is to demystify the disease and ensure people know that it can catch anyone. We have not received any specific reports where people are being stigmatised.

“We need to demystify this because it is just like any other disease,” Dr Kabalo said. He urged the public to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of people affected by COVID-19.

“That is why we are emphasising on promotion of high-level hygiene so that it does not affect the larger population. “So stigmatising, we are preaching against it and we are saying do not do that,” Dr Kabalo said. He said stigmatisation of COVID-19 patients has a negative effect on the victim’s mental wellbeing and healing process. “When you stigmatise, you do mental torture on the individual you stigmatise against, you torture them mentally, they are part and parcel of society; please, show them love. “Let them feel loved because once their mental state is stable, it helps in quick recovery,” Dr Kabalo said. Coronavirus has affected 45 people out of which 30 recuperated and were discha