BANGI – “I am more horrified by society’s perception of me than by Covid-19 itself,” said a frontliner, who was infected with the virus last month.
University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) nurse Nur Alyani Ab Karim, 31, told Getaran that she accepts her fate and realises the risks that she would have to face when tasked to care for Covid-19 patients last February.
Despite fully recovering from the coronavirus, Nur Alyani said she is still haunted by the social stigma attached to the disease, which was first detected in Malaysia in December 2019.
“As a frontliner, the probability of getting infected with Covid-19 is very high. When I was confirmed positive, I wasn’t shocked at all. Believe it or not, the fear of being shunned by society was greater than the fear of getting infected.
“Society views Covid-19 as a crime, when it is not something that a person has any control over. Imagine, I work overtime, till late night, caring for patients, sacrificing my energy, time and my own life. Is it fair for people to treat us (frontliners) like this when we have served the country?” she asked.
Nur Alyani also said she avoids going out for fear of being rejected by her neighbours.
“Although I have fully recovered, the worry is still there. I feel as if their eyes are on me, talking about me. All due to the social stigma attached to Covid-19 patients.”
To compound matters, the Selangor-born lass said all the negativity has taken a toll on her emotional health.
“I cannot face the people’s taunts and ridicule, as if blaming our profession. They claim we were careless while performing our tasks as nurses (thus getting infected).”
“Why is the profession being blamed? Is this uniform that I wear a sin that needs to be avoided? There was once an incident where my friend was refused entry into a sundry shop just because she was wearing her uniform.”
According to Nur Alyani, who is one of thousands of nurses involved in a mass screening in UMMC, this proves that society still lacks an understanding towards medical professions and the work ethics they require.
“Don’t they know just how tight the standard operating procedure (SOP) is that we need to follow?”
“Don’t worry, we don’t reuse uniforms while handling Covid-19 patients. The profession isn’t at fault here, because the risk of getting infected is always there for frontliners like us. It is a responsibility that we need to shoulder.”
Support not stigma
Social Welfare Department public health specialist Dr Aidalina Mahmud said the social stigma surrounding Covid-19 patients has got to stop, adding that the people must not alienate them as they need support.
“A strong support system is needed to ensure that the emotional health of patients is not affected after they have been infected by the coronavirus.
“The way society treats these patients as if they are criminals needs to stop immediately, because this negativity is not only directed to patients, but also their family.”
Dr Aidalina said people need to fully understand Covid-19 and how it spreads, as only a deep understanding of the issue and compliance with SOPs can reduce the risk of infection.
Although fearing the virus is a good thing as it ensures that the people are more careful, the lecturer warns against over-apprehension, which may cause misunderstandings.
“The social stigma and misunderstandings surrounding Covid-19 must be eradicated, or at the very least controlled and minimised among members of the public.
“Imagine what will happen if an infected individual chooses to be silent and not undergo screening, all because he or she is worried about society’s negative perception?”
In a time when the country is facing a spike in Covid-19 cases, social stigma and negative views towards infected patients are not issues society needs to focus on, as what is more important is unrelenting moral support, said Dr Aidalina.
Being infected with Covid-19 is not a crime, as such, its patients should not be treated as criminals. – The Vibes, February 3, 2021
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