Gambians have been warned not to discriminate against family members working as frontline health workers in the fight against coronavirus pandemic. 

The warning was made by National Association of Gambia Nurses and Midwives after it emerged that some families were pressuring their loved ones to quit their jobs as health workers due to fears that they would transmit the virus to them. 

“Nurses are not the transmitters of the virus; we are trained professionals with the required knowledge to practice proper infection control measures. 

“At this trying time, moral and psychological support from the general public rather than stigma and discrimination will be helpful,” the nurses’ association said in a press statement.

“Remember, the Gambia does not have adequate number of nurses; therefore, it is highly essential to preserve the little we have. 

The statement added: “Alongside the pandemic, we still have other endemic diseases like malaria, hypertension, cardiac failure, pneumonia, HIV and AIDS, maternal complications and road traffic tragedies that need the response of nurses. 

“Therefore, if nurses are forced to resign, there would be lots of mortality not only from COVID19, but the stated conditions. 

“This deadly decision of families will not prevent them from contracting COVID19, but rather endanger their own lives, and that of the whole country.”

The Association urged the Government “to engage the families of these nurses to stop the on going stigma and marginalization against their own family members who happens to be nurses.”