11 South Sudan medics quit over COVID-19 stigma, family pressure: aid organisation
South Sudan’s efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic suffered a blow following the resignation of a number of frontline healthcare workers.
11 healthcare workers left their posts due to a combination of social stigma and pressure from close family members, the International Medical Corps (IMC) said.
IMC Coordinator Dr. Addou Sebushishe said that the workers were compelled to quit by their families which feared that they would end up as sources of infection to their communities.
“When COVID-19 struck the country, 4 clinical officers, 3 nurses and 4 hygienists who basically do the hygienic part of the work were unfortunately forced by their families to quit the job,” Sebushishe said during the commissioning of the Dr. John Garang Infectious Disease Unit.
“We were struggling to let the communities know that the health workers were not sources of infection, but rather are heroes trying to save the lives.”
At least two health workers and two doctors contracted the virus but were discharged after recovery, Sebushishe said.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Health said that it will mobilize psychiatrists to give counseling to frontline healthcare workers and their families dealing with COVID-19 related stigma and fatigue.
South Sudan, which already has a struggling healthcare system, has so far reported 2,145 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths and 1,135 recoveries as of July 13, according to the Africa CDC.
