“The government has formulated guidelines to address post-COVID conditions,” revealed Dr. Ivan Kimuli, the Head of Clinical Services at the Institute. He disclosed during a media briefing that they have been consistently visited by individuals exhibiting symptoms linked to post-COVID effects.
Many of these individuals lament about a lingering cough resistant to treatment and respiratory difficulties, prompting some to rely on inhalers for relief.
“There are quite a number of patients presenting with persistent symptoms,” Dr. Kimuli acknowledged. “From an unrelenting cough to breathing issues, we are actively addressing long COVID-19.”
Although the precise count of people grappling with these complications remains unknown, the government is poised to unveil treatment guidelines next month.
Additionally, healthcare professionals have undergone specialized training to staff post-COVID clinics established at regional referral hospitals.
“We are going the extra mile to equip our health workers with the necessary skills to manage post-COVID cases effectively. Specialized clinics have been set up,” Dr. Kimuli assured.
The World Health Organization underscores that post-COVID conditions, or Long COVID, comprise over two hundred documented symptoms, exhibiting variations among individuals. In children, symptoms may manifest as fatigue, altered sense of smell, and anxiety.
These conditions typically arise in individuals with a history of confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection, experiencing symptoms lasting at least two months, initially appearing within three months of acute COVID-19.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimated that by the end of 2021, 145 million people had developed post-COVID conditions, with 15.1% grappling with persistent symptoms a year after the onset of infection.
While the precise number of cases in Uganda remains elusive, clinics like the one at Mulago Specialised Referral Hospital have been treating a considerable number of individuals with respiratory issues stemming from post-COVID complications. The long-term ramifications of COVID-19 persist in uncertainty.
Researchers are delving into cases of individuals who recuperated from COVID-19 in early 2020 but continue to grapple with side effects. The origins of these complications, whether stemming from the acute respiratory disease or the drugs employed in treatment, and their potential linkage to the body’s response to the infection, remain uncertain.