Do not stigmatise COVID-19 survivors, Health Minister

Health Minister, Osagie Ehnaire has enjoined citizens not to stigmatise COVID-19 survivors.

He said this in a tweet on Friday evening.

Highlighting the height of the stigma, he noted that public knowledge implies that those hospitalised from the virus are treated poorly.

"Stigma drives them to hide illness and not seek care, increasing difficulty of the COVID19 outbreak," the Minister said.

Asking that the survivors be accorded a bit of respect, he urged residents "not to stigmatise persons who have recovered from the virus."

#COVID19 has stoked stigma against those who have been in contact with #COVID19; they are treated poorly. Stigma drives them to hide illness and not seek care, increasing difficulty of the #COVID19 outbreak. Please do not stigmatise persons who have recovered from #COVID19.

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) April 17, 2020