Longthonger residents sensitised on stigma against Covid-19

Dimapur, Aug. 25 (EMN): Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) bureau of the chief medical officer (CMO), Kiphire, conducted a Covid-19 anti-stigma and discrimination campaign at Longthonger village in Kiphire district on August 23.

An update from the CMO, Kiphire, stated that the district community mobiliser (DCM) and resource person, Seli Anar, spoke on guidelines to address stigma associated with Covid-19. He mentioned that stigma associated with Covid-19 is based on three main factors namely lack of adequate information, fear of the disease, and rumours or misinformation.
Stating that Covid-19 is a public health emergency that is causing a stressful and a difficult time for everyone, he said rumours and misinformation are causing more harm which could hamper Covid-19 recovery.

The DCM had further categorised groups of people immune to stigma and discrimination such as people affected with Covid-19 and their families, people under quarantine and their families, frontline healthcare providers, and those who have recovered from Covid-19.

He also pointed out that stigma and discrimination is leading to people concealing symptoms, hesitancy in seeking medical care, not adhering to interventions like home quarantine, and ostracisation of healthcare workers and others involved in Covid-19 management.

He, therefore, urged the gathering to be appreciative and supportive of efforts made by frontline workers, verify information from a reliable source such as the Health department; not to disclose the name, identity, and locality of persons affected or under quarantine; and not to spread misinformation.

The programme was chaired by the block extension educator, Daniel Magh, who proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked the participants for positively attending the programme. He further urged them to disseminate the information pertaining to stigma and discrimination in every possible platform.

It mentioned that similar programmes were conducted at Kiphire village and Amahator on August 21 and 25 respectively.