The Biblical story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, offers an important lesson about the dangers of silence. Despite being told by those around him to keep quiet and not disturb Jesus, Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. He cried out even louder until his plea was heard, and in the end, he received the healing he desperately needed.
Had he listened to the voices urging him to remain silent, he might never have received help. That story still carries a powerful message today, especially when it comes to our health.
Many people suffer illness in silence, often at great personal cost. In some communities, seriously ill family members are hidden away from visitors or even locked indoors to avoid public attention. Yet our physical, mental and spiritual well-being is ultimately our own responsibility, and seeking help should never be a source of shame.
Too often, people attribute illness to witchcraft or the actions of others while overlooking the role that lifestyle choices and delayed treatment can play. The way we care for our bodies and minds can either protect us or become our greatest enemy.
I remember a close friend who, despite being seriously ill and visibly emaciated, once remarked: “What is the use of taking a healthy body into the grave when all that matters is the soul?” While spiritual beliefs are important, they should never discourage us from looking after the bodies we have been given.
The reality is that many people enjoy hearing good news about their health but resist any suggestion that something may be wrong.
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As a result, they avoid medical check-ups or ignore symptoms until it is too late. Yet, as the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem half solved.
Fear, stigma and denial often lead people to conceal their illnesses from relatives, neighbours and friends. Some parents even hide a sick child from the community. Ironically, while illness can be hidden for a time, death cannot. The same people from whom we conceal sickness will eventually know when a loved one passes away.
Others continue doing physically demanding work despite feeling unwell, pretending that everything is normal until they suddenly collapse. Many of these tragedies could be prevented through early diagnosis and timely intervention.
I have always encouraged people to hold on to the will to live, regardless of how serious their illness may seem. Miracles happen.
Medical science advances every day. Countless people who were once given little hope have gone on to recover and enjoy full and productive lives. I count myself among them.
More than 30 years ago, I was seriously ill, and many who visited me believed I would not survive. Yet today, I am alive and well enough to tell my story.
Part of my recovery came because I was open about my condition. My openness brought advice, emotional support and information about where I could get affordable and effective treatment. When I reached the hospital, I was honest with the doctors and nurses about my symptoms, allowing them to make the correct diagnosis.
Unfortunately, not everyone does the same. Some people, out of fear or embarrassment, give inaccurate information to health workers, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis.
I still remember a friend in the late 1980s who was suffering from a severe sexually transmitted infection.
Out of shame, he insisted he had malaria and would have received the wrong treatment had someone not intervened and explained the truth to the nurse.
Perhaps no illness illustrates the burden of secrecy more than HIV. Over the years, people living with HIV have rightly been told that they have the right to disclose or not disclose their status.
While that right should always be respected, I believe that, in many cases, excessive secrecy around HIV has done more harm than good.
Fear of stigma has led some people to avoid testing, default on treatment, isolate themselves or even contemplate suicide.
Openness, where it is safe and supported, can create opportunities for treatment, counselling and community support. It can also help reduce the stigma that still surrounds HIV and other chronic illnesses.
One of the main reasons people hide illness is the belief that they are victims of witchcraft. In some families, sickness is immediately attributed to jealous relatives or neighbours, leading them to isolate the patient from the very people who might offer assistance. Another reason is pride. Some individuals who have built a public image of strength or success struggle to admit vulnerability when illness strikes.
The truth is that good health is fragile and unpredictable. Disease does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, wealth or social standing.
There is wisdom in being honest about our health challenges and seeking help early. Whether that help comes from family, friends, healthcare professionals or faith communities, opening up can make the difference between life and death.
Rather than living in fear, shame or suspicion, we should create a culture where people feel safe to talk about illness without judgment. We must encourage one another to seek medical care, to support those who are struggling, and to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Bartimaeus was healed because he refused to be silenced. Perhaps his story reminds us that, sometimes, the bravest thing a person can do is simply to speak up.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and are intended to encourage dialogue around health, stigma and the importance of seeking timely medical care.
*Piason Maringwa is an HIV champion based in Gokwe South, who fights stigma, promotes treatment adherence and educates communities to improve the lives of people living with HIV. He can be reached on +263774322043