Social stigma and discrimination faced by COVID-19 patients in an industrial unit: Findings of survey from rural Maharashtra.

Introduction: Uncertain situation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to fear, stigma, and discrimination across all strata of society in varying proportions. Stigmatization increases the suffering of people or those who are at risk of getting the disease and make it harder for public health authorities to control the disease. Material and Methods: The present study is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey conducted over a period of four weeks in the month of July 2021 in a food industry in rural region of western Maharashtra among COVID-19 positive patients. A total of 152 participants were included in the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 20). Descriptive statistics were used which included frequencies and percentages. Results: 64.5% of the participants were males and 35.5% were females. Approx. 85% of the participants were in age group 15-58 years. 100% of them reported to have faced fear on being tested COVID-19 positive. However, only approx. 2-5% individuals hid their illness from family and friends and 7.9% of them were afraid of getting hospitalized. Conclusion: It was found that fear was prevalent among all survivors but stigma was found to be minimal which is likely due to widespread awareness through media, IEC campaigns, and active involvement of administration in implementing policies.

Has National Medical Commission Short-Changed the Subject of Community Medicine in Its Latest Minimum Requirements for Indian Medical Graduates? A Systems Review.

System analysis is examination of various elements of a system with a view to ascertain whether the proposed solution to a problem will fit the system and in turn effect an overall improvement in the system. The National Medical Commission (NMC) which was constituted by the act of the Parliament, has brought out minimum requirements for annual MBBS admissions regulations, 2020, which replace minimum requirements published by erstwhile Medical Council of India. The NMC also published new competency-based medical education syllabus for MBBS students with an aim to focus on practical skills. This study brings out the scope of the community medicine (CM) in the present context and as envisaged by the NMC. It also analyzes the infrastructure and workforce required in the department of CM and gives recommendations to improve the system.