South Sudan medics quit over Covid-19 stigma

11 frontline healthcare workers in South Sudan have resigned from their jobs following social stigma and pressure from close family members, the International Medical Corps (IMC) has said. 

Speaking during the official inauguration of the Dr John Garang Infectious Disease Unit, the country’s major centre where Covid-19 patients are treated, IMC Coordinator Dr Addou Sebushishe revealed that the workers were forced by to resign. 

“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,” he said. 

Dr Sebushishe went on to say that families feared that the medics would be sources of infection to their communities. 

He said at least two health workers and two doctors contracted the virus but were discharged after recovery. 

“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.” 

The Dr John Garang Infectious Disease Unit is managed by both the International Medical Corps and Ministry of Health. 

South Sudan has confirmed 2,145 Covid-19 cases so far, along with 1,135 recoveries and 41 deaths.