- By Reporter
COVID-19: Nigerian survivors identify mental health as key to defeating virus
By Our Reporter
Some survivors of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says mental health is key to defeating the virus.
The survivors said this in separate interviews with newsmen in Abuja.
Ms Mary Adenuga, 29, and a lawyer said that she recovered from the infection having tested positive on July 17.
She said that she experienced severe chest pains, extreme fatigue, lack of appetite and a high fever.
“After eventually going through with the test, I spent 14 days at home in self-isolation while waiting for the test results.
“My worst fear was confirmed when the results came out positive. By that time, i was already taking remedies like ,ginger and lemon. Steaming myself with ointment and drinking lots of hot beverages
“When I knew my status, I continued to self-isolate while religiously taking remedies to treat my symptoms,” she said.
She counselled people who tested positive to shut out negative thoughts of how dangerous and lethal the virus could be.
The lawyer advised them to stay positive and be strong mentally at all times.
“As a Christian, I kept telling myself that it is not over until God says it is over, that helped me block out any negative energy.
“I didn’t receive any counseling prior to receiving my results, and I wished I had,” she said.
The lawyer reiterated the importance of emotional support for COVID-19 patients.
Mr Elias Osakwe, a 43-year-old Psycologist admonished the government to make mental health issues part of post COVID-19.
“We need to be vigilant about screening patients, looking for signs and symptoms in our loved ones and friends, and even ourselves if we are survivors.
“Just inquiring about emotional well-being can go a long way,” Osakwe said.
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