Publicizing names of infected patients is not desirable and
ethical since:
- Making the names of the patients public will lead to
ostracizing of the patients. This will afferct their mental
health.
- Publicizing the names of infected patients will have no sure
benefit. If isolation from public is essential in case of a
communicable disease, the patients should be told to maintain
distance and stay away from public.
- If the names are made public, even after full recovery, the
patients may be avoided by public and social circles. This will
impact their lives even after the infection is cured.
Instead of publicizing names of patients, authorities should
focus their attention and energy on taking care of and curing the
patients, generating awareness among the public about causes of the
infection and how to take preventive measures.