Head of Community Health at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) has urged the general public to encourage Covid-19 survivors to share their experiences rather than stigmatizing them.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, Prof Alfred Yawson said there are few cases where people test positive, but their risk of transmitting the disease to others, is so reduced and minimal.

“So, especially when people have gotten the disease and they have recovered, there should be no fear of interacting with such persons,” he said.

He noted that not everyone survives the virus, hence there is a need to show victims some love and learn from their stories.

“So for instance, when a woman is a shop owner and she had gotten Covid and recovered, there’s nothing to worry about going to buy things from the shop.

“If the person is a teacher, there’s nothing to be worried about that I won’t let my child go to the school, because the teacher has tested positive and recovered,” he educated.

Prof Yawson believes educating the public against stigmatization will help boost the confidence of the survivors.

“If we all did that; we support each other and encourage people after they’ve been through the difficulties and the stress of the condition, that we welcome them and encourage them, interact with them, that will help boost confidence.”

He encouraged members of the public to continue the wearing of nose masks and regular hand washing, stressing that “If we do that, there’s nothing to worry about when you interact with them.”

He further noted that the challenge now is the denial of the existence of the virus and the fact that people would not want to open up for fear of being stigmatized.

“So once you combine the denial and the stigma, some of these non-disclosures are bound to happen,” Prof Yawson said.