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{
    "id": 998720,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/998720/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 69,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Milgo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13174,
        "legal_name": "Milgo Alice Chepkorir",
        "slug": "milgo-alice-chepkorir"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 47 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national concern, namely, uniting in the fight against stigma linked to COVID-19. As you are aware, communities are making the lives of the survivors of COVID- 19 very hard by stigmatising them in various ways. Stigma makes both the affected and infected family members find it hard to live in a society even after the recovery, testing negative and the quarantine period. Stigmatising COVID-19 patients and those suspected to be COVID-19 positive is the last thing the society should do at this moment when the disease has got no cure. For patients to survive the pandemic, they need great care, hope and love from every one of us. Furthermore, stigmatisation has never been a good method of dealing with any crisis. We learned of the effect of stigma from the society’s first reaction of HIV/AIDS when those infected and affected faced enormous stigma. Most of them lost their lives, not because of the disease, but stigma related issues, which brought about other health issues and stress. When the stigma ended, all went well and we now live side by side with HIV/AIDS survivors. We walk with them without fear and, in return, they are receiving even better care and new lease of life. This call of accepting people took a long time for the country to achieve, but I believe that the same methods can be used to strike out stigma against COVID-19 patients. One of the ways is to counter the false information about COVID-19. Education and sensitisation about this disease should be given through different channels; media, public barazas and nyumba kumi. This would create awareness using facts. This will help The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}