Increasing Recognition, Research and Rehabilitation for Post COVID-19 Condition (long COVID)
WHO remains committed to learning more about long COVID and to finding ways to improve the medium- and long-term outcomes for people affected by it, as Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director has made clear:
“While there is much we still need to learn about long COVID, especially how it presents in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations and how it impacts reinfections, the data highlights the urgent need for more analysis, more investment, more
support, and more solidarity with those who experience this condition”.
“Millions of people in our Region, are suffering debilitating symptoms many months after their initial COVID-19 infection. They cannot continue to suffer in silence.”
Working with long COVID patient associations, research institutions, public health authorities and governments, WHO/Europe hopes to improve research and ensure that health services can support patients properly with their rehabilitation needs.
In September 2022, WHO/Europe partnered with Long COVID Europe to develop 3 goals – the 3 Rs – jointly calling upon governments and health authorities to focus attention on post COVID-19 condition (long COVID) and those affected by it through greater:
- recognition and knowledge sharing, where all services are adequately equipped, and no patient is left alone or having to struggle to navigate a system that is not prepared, or not capable of, recognizing this debilitating condition;
- research and reporting through data gathering and reporting of cases, and well-coordinated research, with full participation of patients needed to advance understanding of the prevalence, causes and costs of long COVID; and
- rehabilitation that is based on evidence and effectiveness, and is safe for both patients and carers.
