Don't stigmatise Covid-19 patients

MP SPEAKS | I encourage fellow Malaysians to show empathy with the anxiety and stress felt by patients of Covid-19 and not stigmatise those who are confirmed to have the infection as this not only may be detrimental to the patient but also may discourage more people from stepping forward to undergo health screening and testing due to fear of the stigma

In view of the reported suspected suicide case of a Covid-19 patient, it is important we, as a nation, respond in a loving and caring matter, especially in a high-stress and unprecedented crisis such as this.

Stigma and even "spreader's guilt" is a real painful issue that many patients have to deal with. The mental stress and anxiety suffered by patients due to the disease is not just limited to the worry of the effects of the virus to ones own health, but also how it possibly can spread and affect others as well.

I believe that no patient wants to get this disease and definitely, no one wants to spread this to another human life, especially if it leads to possible eventual death. Imagine the anxiety and stress endured by patients when they get updates and reports of other cases that may be linked to them.

Being tagged as a super spreader may also do more harm to the psyche of an individual and add unwarranted guilt even though it was beyond their control.

Some patients may even have to endure the pain known as "survivor's guilt" when they themselves may have survived from the disease while those around them did not. We have seen the ugly effects of this especially during post-war times and thus, we must be empathetic towards patients that may have gone through such similar psychological trauma or "guilt".

I really do not wish any of that "guilt" on anyone and very often, this stigma is not only limited to the patients themselves but also often directed towards their family and close ones.

That is why we all need to learn to act in compassion and not to stigmatise these survivors. Let us support them through this and show empathy to them and their families. Blaming and accusing does not help and only create more psychological damages. This echoes the call made by Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham who recently urged Malaysians not to discriminate against those who attended a mass tabligh gathering but rather, help them to make sure they get the assistance needed.

So we all have a part to play in this crisis, and we can do it together through empathy and love so that our fellow Malaysians can heal and recover not just their physical health but also supported in their mental health.

For those that are going through a tough time, there are many avenues you can seek including the Befrienders helpline and also the Welfare Department.

Those seeking help can contact the Befrienders helpline at 03-79568145, or email [email protected].

The Health Ministry and Mercy Malaysia have also set up a psychosocial support hotline for frontline workers and others who are emotionally affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The hotline can be reached 8am until 5pm at 011-63996482, 011-63994236, or 03-9359935.

KELVIN YII is MP for Bandar Kuching (DAP).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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