NOOR AZMI: 19,890 EX-PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM ‘LONG COVID’
Patients usually experience symptoms between four and 12 weeks after recovery
ATOTAL of 19,890 former Covid-19 patients are suffering from health complications due to the effects of Covid-19 after recovery, which is known as “long Covid”.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said up to last month, appointments were given to patients for follow-up treatment at health facilities and relevant specialists after being discharged from hospital.
He said symptoms for long Covid patients were lethargy (78.9 per cent), breathing difficulties when performing certain tasks (52.9 per cent), coughing (18.1 per cent), insomnia (14.5 per cent) and anxiety (10.4 per cent).
He said long Covid patients usually experienced symptoms between four and 12 weeks after recovery, adding some also displayed symptoms 12 weeks after recovery.
“For patients with chronic illnesses or comorbidities, they will be asked to go for follow-up visits at health facilities just like before they were infected with Covid-19.
“If they do not have any followup treatments yet, they will be given appointment dates with the relevant specialists.
“Former Covid-19 patients can also get treatment at any nearby public or private health facilities.
“They can walk in to seek treatment if they show symptoms,” Dr Noor Azmi said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Former Covid-19 patients who showed worsening symptoms during the monitoring period and need urgent medical treatment would be admitted to hospitals for further treatment.
He said this in response to Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti) who asked about steps taken by the Health Ministry to ensure that long Covid patients were given adequate access to medical treatment nationwide.
Aside from the Sungai Buloh Hospital and the UiTM Training Hospital, Dr Noor Azmi said long Covid patients could also be referred to 41 public and private health facilities nationwide.