Plea for more cash to tackle Long Covid
LONG Covid sufferers yesterday demanded action from the Scottish Government over the debilitating condition.
There are 155,000 Scots with Long Covid, some of whom have been affected for more than two years, with numbers rising.
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie told a press conference yesterday that the Scottish Government’s £10million for Long Covid over three years was the equivalent of just £19 per patient per year which is “frankly inadequate”.
The Long Covid Scotland Group and Long Covid Kids asked yesterday for the condition to be taken more seriously.
Calum O’Dwyer, 30, was an engineer before contracting Covid in March 2020 and while the initial symptoms of the virus did not appear too serious, five weeks later he felt like he’d been “hit by a bus”. He said: “What the Government is doing is not enough.”
Abi, 16, only managed to say her own name but her mum read her statement: “My main symptoms are extreme fatigue and brain fog.
“Before I got Covid I was very smart and loved to sing and play the piano and hang out with my friends.
“I have lost practically all my independence and my ability to do things I enjoy.”
The Scottish Government said there was no “one size fits all” approach because of the range of symptoms.
A spokesperson added: “The first tranche of funding was announced last month and will enable NHS boards to continue to develop and deliver the best models of care appropriate for their local population’s needs. This can include a Long Covid clinic if appropriate.”