Stigmatization Towards Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal

Ravi Ranjan Pradhan,Richa Nepal

doi:10.3126/nmj.v3i1.29536

Abstract

COVID-19 is a novel disease that accompanies itself with anxiety, fear and social stigma. As the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Nepal, many instances of stigmatization towards healthcare workers have come into light. Rather than motivating healthcare workers to work during these adverse times, they are being ostracized as carriers of COVID-19. Despite the risks, healthcare workers are bearing for themselves and for their families, very little has been done to protect them. Stigmas can be counteracted by awareness regarding this novel disease. It is important to aware people about correct practices and makes them realize that this battle against COVID-19, can’t be won without healthcare workers. Ensuring safety of healthcare workers must be the foremost priority of the state. Healthcare workers are the most valuable asset for every country, who must be protected from acts of stigmatization at the earliest.

Highlights

Infectious diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were found to be associated with stigmas in the past, which have proven to be barriers for effective disease management.[1]
COVID-19 is a novel disease that accompanies itself with anxiety, fear, and social stigma which are compounded by ignorance and fear of contagion among the general public.[2]
‘Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) health workers face stigmatization with detection of COVID-19 case in the Organizing a Medical Conference hospital’ was the title of an article published in a leading daily few weeks back in Nepal.[3]

Summary

Introduction

Infectious diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were found to be associated with stigmas in the past, which have proven to be barriers for effective disease management.[1]. ‘Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) health workers face stigmatization with detection of COVID-19 case in the Organizing a Medical Conference hospital’ was the title of an article published in a leading daily few weeks back in Nepal.[3] With the detection of COVID-19 in a six-year-old inpatient of TUTH on 15th May 2020; a state of chaos ensued in and around the hospital.

Results

Conclusion