MOPH condemns discrimination of family of Reg. 3 patient
—Says no COVID-related in death in Region 3
─warns against fake news
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Dismissing reports on Social Media platforms as fake news, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Boyle said there are no recorded deaths from COVID-19 in Region Three.
The patient rumoured to have died from the novel coronavirus at the West Demerara Hospital did not contract the virus nor did he die from it as is being alleged. The Ministry of Public Health has announced that his death was as a result of underlying health conditions.
Since his death, persons have been discriminating against his family members, a practice the Ministry strongly condemns. The Ministry of Public Health urges all Guyanese to empathize with persons who have lost family members to the novel coronavirus and other causes.
Dr. Boyle reminded that immune-compromised persons, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, cancers, tuberculosis and sickle cell disease should take extra precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19.
It was also noted that healthcare workers who battle every day to save lives and improve patient health are also experiencing levels of stigma.
According to the Chief Executive Officer Brig. (ret’d) Mark Lewis of the Georgetown Public Hospitals Corporation (GPHC), one of the greatest concerns for GPHC is the treatment healthcare professionals have found themselves being subjected to.
“Without our healthcare workers, we cannot beat COVID-19 and a number of our nurses and doctors are being discriminated against when they attempt to use private transportation and they’re moving around in supermarkets and other areas,” CEO Lewis stated during a COVID-19 Update on Monday last.
“I ask the general public to please understand that they [healthcare workers] have an important duty to perform and understand that they’re doing their best and to understand that without their professions, Guyana will not beat COVID-19,” the CEO underscored.
Further, the GPHC head urged the public to be responsible when sharing information related to COVID-19. In recent weeks, there have been numerous incorrect reports that surfaced on social media about the infectious disease in Guyana. The Ministry of Public Health has dispelled many of the fake statements through its social media platforms.