Coronavirus (1469) Dr Tedros: Long Covid is devastating people’s lives and livelihoods

13 October, 2022

Extracts below from a news article by Dr Tedros in The Guardian (UK). Read in full: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/12/long-covid-who-director-...

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Crushing fatigue. Brain fog making straightforward tasks almost impossible. Shortness of breath walking up the stairs...

There are five key elements to drive the effort forward...

First, it’s really important to keep listening to the patient groups, researchers and health workers dealing with this condition, which we are still learning about. Governments should use their first-hand knowledge to help shape policies that aim to diagnose, support and treat people quickly. It’s also critical for health professionals to communicate that although the road to recovery may be long and frustrating at times, people do get better.

Second, the best way for people to prevent long Covid is to avoid infection...

Third, we need systematic data collection on patients with long Covid...

Fourth... there needs to be sustained investment to expand our scientific understanding so better treatments and clinical management can be developed...

Finally, people with long Covid need care and support...

On behalf of the scientific community, health workers and the patients with long Covid WHO has worked with, I urge all leaders to seriously ramp up support so that we can minimise the suffering and improve the health of those affected so they can return to living their fullest lives.

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Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Global Coordinator HIFA, www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org

Global Healthcare Information Network: Working in official relations with WHO