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Matilda Agamu, the first recovered Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in the Upper East Region has delivered a healthy baby girl.

Ms Agamu indicated that since she delivered her new born baby, the rate of stigmatisation against her has reduced significantly.

She stated this in an interview with media practitioners when the Terabuuri Yele Association donated a cash amount of GH¢3,000,one bag of millet, one bag of rice, one gallon of cooking oil, four sachets of baby diapers and four bags of sachet water to her at Bolgatanga.

The items were to help Ms Agamu to expand her business and to provide food for her and the household.

Ms Agamu used the occasion to reiterate her resolve to continue to educate people on the need to avoid stigmatising COVID-19 patients since it had the tendency of worsening the plight of such patients.

“I am however happy that people are beginning to appreciate me and I thank all public spirited institutions and individuals whose continuous visit to my house has sent out good messages about me, hence a reduction in stigmatisation against me and my family," she further explained.

She noted that the baby eats well and that she thanked God that after all that she went through she was now happy saying that “even when I was in the hospital to deliver my baby there was no mention of my COVID-19 status”.

Organisation

The Local Chairman of Terabuuri Yele, Mr Martin Atuah said the organisation which promoted and preserved the culture of the Upper East Region was touched by the plight of Ms Agamu and her family regarding how she was stigmatised.

“We therefore decided to help through raising of funds from our brothers and sisters in abroad particularly the United States of America headed by the International Chairman, Mr Gabriel Akakire Agambila so that we can put smiles on our sister's face," Mr Atuah further stated.

COVID-19 support

He noted that “Terabuuriyele had also undertaken some initiatives to help combat COVID-19 in the region".

Mr Atuah observed that in March this year the organisation distributed Veronica buckets, tissue papers, liquid soaps, dust bins and other items to hospitals, banks, markets among other areas.

“We also did a number of radio presentations in the local languages to educate people on the effects of stigmatization,” he said.

According to him, last month the organisation together with some chiefs and Elders from the Farefari traditional areas travelled from the region to the Jubilee House in Accra and donated GH¢10,000 to the COVID-19 Trust Fund.

“And today we are making this donation to Ms Agamu and it is our fervent hope and prayers that our donation would ultimately enhance her business and living condition of her household," Mr Atuah intimated.