At a time when the number of COVID-19 patients is rising rapidly, the stigma associated with the disease calls for a closer look. A short film, Stigma, produced by the National Health Mission (Kannur), the District Medical Office and the District Mental Health Programme tries to do that.
K.V. Latheesh, District Project Manager of the National Health Mission, felt the need for such a film when he came across several instances of patients being stigmatised. “A young man was asked by his wife not to visit her or her parents even after he had recovered from COVID-19,” he told The Hindu. “We need to educate people about the novel coronavirus.”
Serious social issue
Dr. Latheesh said the stigma was becoming a serious social issue. “Society is becoming paranoiac,” he said. “Not just the COVID-19 patients, but their caregivers too are being treated harshly. I know health workers who have been asked by neighbours not to return to their apartments.”
He said there had been suicide attempts when patients were made to feel unwelcome by the community. “I thought a short film could convey the message. I got in touch with Santhosh Keezhattoor and he has come up with a fine film, which we hope will help dispel misconceptions about COVID-19.”
Strong message
The actor has directed the film, and played six characters too. “It was a challenge essaying six characters,” he said. “I am playing the father of a man who goes back from his commitment to marry a girl who recovered from COVID-19, a youngster who is quarantined on his return from the Gulf, an IT professional, a man who refuses to cremate a COVID-19 victim, a man who flouts guidelines during the lockdown and a female nurse.”
The script is by Suresh Babu Sreestha, a playwright who is working as a Health Inspector at the Family Health Centre, Kalliasseri. Stigma would soon be released on various platforms, including social media.