Stop Stigmatization of Covid-19 Victims now – Mbachi Warns Nigerians

…As over 50 Enugwu-Ukwu Women benefit from palliative program

The Public has been urged to shun the habit of stigmatisation of persons affected by the coronavirus as it was not a death sentence but should sensitise the populace on precautionary measures.

This was contained in a message delivered on Tuesday by Enugwu- Ukwu Community Women Leader, Mrs Ngozi Mbachi, who appealed to women of Aboatulu Kindred Meeting during its COVID-19 pandemic palliative distribution.

She urged the public to stop stigmatization of persons already affected by the virus as such act would derail the efforts to contain the spread in various communities of the state.

“All we need to do at the moment was to observe all the precautionary measures given by WHO and medical experts, stigmatisation would make the people to hide relatives with close symptoms.

“ Nobody would like to live with the stigmatisation associated with the coronavirus, the fear of been mistreated would make people to hide information,” she said .

Mbachi said that the people at rural areas are already aware of the dangers linked to the coronavirus, but sound enlightenment was required to drum the measures to the people.

Mbachi noted that over 50 Women from Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra benefited from Aboatulu Women union palliative program.

She urged the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 palliatives to be prudent in management of the resources available to them so that they do not run out of food stock while the pandemic lasts.

Mbachi appealed to Anambra state government to tighten security at borders in order to forestall influx of people as well as prevent spread of coronavirus pandemic in the state and not to create fear.

She said that the union empowered ten women with fund to engage in small business like Zobo drink, puff puff, chichim and buns to ensure that the family are well cared for at the moment of hardship.
“ No woman should fold her hands now but should try out their hands in lots of small business ventures and farming to make ends meet,” she said

Mrs Nwabugwu Okafor a centenarian , who benefited from the palliative said it would cushion the effects of coronavirus pandemic being experienced in the community and expressed joy over the action.

Mrs Elizabeth Okafor, aged 93, grandmatron of the Aboatulu women union urged the women to use the palliative wisely and ensure that the educate their children on need to observe COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Okafor said that since there was no known cure for the virus that they would follow all directives given to them so as to stay alive and appeal to government to ensure that security operatives carry out their duties.

Mrs Grace Anagor, Vice President of the union said that the executives sourced over N500,000 from their husbands to achieve the vision to cushion effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their members .

She advised the women to carry the news to all their families and ensure they follow all directives to the latter.

Mrs Patty Anagor, a member of the union commended the union executives for the training and empowerment given to the women to sustain their families assured that they would spread the message to others.

Mrs Uju Ekwoanya , the resource person who trained the women on soap making, bleach, zobo drink, buns and other snacks urged them to ensure that palliative was used for the purpose it was given.

Mrs Veronica Agu one of the women empowered for the small business commended the union leadership for devising such idea and promised to start off the business in addition to her other business.

Mrs Obioma Okafor and Ngozi Anagor beneficiaries of the economic empowerment said that the union has done well by the act of empowerment and educating them on need to observe COVID-19 precautionary measures and starting a business for them .

Newsmen reports that the beneficiaries included women entrepreneurs, the indigent and the aged, received cash gifts, bags of rice, among others adding that the women were educated on COVID- 19 protocols including hand washing, social distancing, use of face mask.