DISCLAIMER: The views mentioned above are mine only and does not reflect on the organization or induvial discussed.
In my recent project with “Medicine Sans Frontieres” (MSF) I got a
chance to interview the victims of Corona Virus in low life area of Karachi. It
was tough to say the least, not because of locality or access to the patients,
but how the physically recovered patients were struggling to recover mentally
as well. Nearly all the patients’ complaint how they were ridiculed when they
completed their time in quarantine. Some were accused of being quarantined for
money, some for the sake of money. And believe me this was not even close to
the worst scenarios people have been facing here. There were family who refused
to accept the fact that someone in the family had caught the virus. Their
arrogance and ignorant behavior lead to the point where the patient was rushed
to the hospital in emergency, for being on the edge of life. This caused the
patients some permanent side effects of corona such as difficulty in breathing,
irregular coughing. In other words, corona has scared them for life.
While interviewing them, one thing was found common; lack of
confidence. They all reflected nervousness, like breaking eye contact, shifting
balance from one feet to another or being hesitant. They have suppressed their
pain inside them and are in dire need of counselling. And not only them, but our
society collectively needs counselling and awareness regarding the virus and its
side effects to lessen the suffering of the patients.
Although it’s been a year now but due to the lack of
awareness, illiteracy, trust and transparency in government’s policy, people
are not willing to accept the virus or the consequences it has brought as a
serious affair. This might not affect the society collectively, but definitely
affect the patient’s mental health forever.
