Lagos State Government has revealed that two survivors of the deadly Ebola Virus disease have complained about the stigmatization meted on them by the public despite being given a clean bill of health.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Alausa, said the government has directed the Ministry of Justice to take up the case on behalf of the affected victims as such act, constitutes a violation of their fundamental human rights.
Idris, who sounded a note of warning to residents to desist from such acts, said the social problems being faced by discharged cases ranges from eviction from their accommodation as well as termination of employment in their places of work.
“We’ve had cases of employers just terminating the employment of their staff who were just mere contacts, not even suspected cases. We believe this is unfair and we feel this impedes on their fundamental human rights. I wish to implore all Lagosians once more not to stigmatize all cases and contacts that have been given a clean bill of health and passionately urge all of us and all employers inclusive to facilitate their reintegration into the society.
“Stigmatization will further make contacts and suspects to go underground and continue to reverse the gains so far made in the containment and management of this outbreak. People feel stigmatized and they may not want to come out because of that, they come up with symptoms and they may not come out and jeopardize not only their lives, but their family members and other people they come in contact with. That’s why it is essential that people should stop that.”
The commissioner urged anybody, whether a discharged patient or a contact followed up who feels stigmatized to petition the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General of Lagos State who will take the matter up on their behalf.
He debunked rumour making round that a new case of Ebola was recorded in the state, saying the only case currently being treated was a contact that was brought in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
