Joy News’ Sports Journalist, Gary Al-Smith has been discharged after he and four other Multimedia Group Limited staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The seasoned journalist spent two weeks at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), one of the country’s isolation facilities.
After disclosing his Covid-19 status on his Facebook timeline on Thursday, June 18, Mr Al-Smith gave regular post dubbed, #CovidDairy to inform his audience about his journey through the dreadful disease.
He explained that it was part of efforts to fight stigma towards people who contract the virus.
On Joy News’ AM Show Wednesday, the Sports Journalist said he was able to go through the Covid journey because of the mammoth support he had from his family, friends and well-wishers.
Stressing on the need for support for Covid-19 patients, Mr Al-Smith said some patients at various isolation centres fear to be discharged due to the stigma they might encounter.
This, he said, could affect patients and even their rate of recovery.
“So imagine those who have come to isolation facilities at this time when Covid is the most dreadful disease and everybody is looking and talking about you and they can’t have any kind of support.
“They can’t pick up a phone and call anybody, they cannot describe anything that has happened to them it is a really difficult time for these people.”
Gary Wednesday evening took to his social media platforms to formally announce he has been discharged.
This is exactly what he wrote:
Discharged.
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I’ve spent my first 24 hours in almost two weeks outside the University of Ghana Medical Center.
I came in, through these doors, as an uncertain patient. I walked out an emboldened miracle.
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To God: all glory is yours.
To family: the support has been incredible.
To colleagues/friends: thanks for being there for me through this difficult time.
To the UGMC healthcare workers who made the stay of myself and the other ‘Covidians’ so bearable: may your stars never dim. And may your reward be right here on earth. The Covidians and I have special plans for you all.
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To His Excellency, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia: taking time to check up on me at the weekend, is deeply appreciated.
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To management of the Multimedia Group, I’m so grateful for your encouragement, support and allowing us to lead the campaign on breaking the myth around this virus.
To all well wishers: your prayers and encouragement, indeed, kept me going. Thank you.
To the people who have engaged in this difficult period on the subject of stigmatization, we have a lot of work to do. Let’s keep going.
To COVID-19: I won, clearly. You lost, obviously.
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I have no complaints about this experience. I choose, instead, to see the brighter side.
In all things, I’m thankful and say, Ebenezer, this is how far the Lord has brought me.
“In lumine tuo, videbimus lumen.”
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StopTheStigma
Source: Evans Ofori /www.mediafillasgh.com
