By Daily News Reporter in Zanzibar
THE Zanzibar Health
Minister, Mr Hamad Rashid Mohamed, has called on the general public to
refrain from stigma and discrimination on COVID-19 pandemic, because it
can lead to fear and discourage people from testing and seeking
treatment on time.
He said stigma and
discrimination on people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or those
who are under quarantine might deter more people from going for check
up, which might be catastrophic.
Presenting an
update on the spread of the virus in Zanzibar, Mr Mohamed warned that if
stigma and discrimination over COVID-19 pandemic continues, it might
contribute to having more cases in the society, which may pose as a
threat to the country.
"As we join forces
against coronavirus, we also need to stop stigmatising and marginalising
people with the virus. We are all human beings, and anybody can
contract the virus," he said.
The minister also
appealed to members of the public to help convince (or report) returnees
from outside the country and people with symptoms to visit hospitals
for checking, because "self -isolation or quarantine and seeking
treatment early would save lives and prevent further spread."
As of April 13,
2020, Zanzibar had recorded 12 cases of COVID-19, with two cured and
more than 50 released from mandatory quarantine in both Unguja and
Pemba.
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